Over 30 trillion yuan: China's goods trade shows strong growth in first seven months of 2026

China's foreign goods trade maintained sound growth during the first seven months of 2026, with total import-export value hitting 30.13 trillion yuan ($4.46 trillion), up 17.3% year-on-year, as per data from the General Administration of Customs on Friday. Exports stood at 17.44 trillion yuan, rising by 14%, while imports reached 12.69 trillion yuan, up 22%, with import growth continuing to outpace export growth. 

Export products shift toward green sectors

In the first seven months of this year, China's exports of mechanical and electrical products hit 11.12 trillion yuan, rising 21.2% and accounting for 63.8% of China's total exports, 3.8 percentage points higher than the same period last year. 

Among them, exports of green and low‑carbon products including electric vehicles, lithium‑ion batteries and wind power generating units increased by 71.2%, 35.8% and 34.8% respectively. 

Exports of 3D printers, industrial robots and ships stood at 11.2 billion yuan, 7.34 billion yuan and 268.14 billion yuan, growing by 110%, 13.2% and 32.7% respectively.

China has become one of the fastest growing countries in the world in terms of innovation capacity. Deep integration of scientific and industrial innovation has continuously translated into new competitive edges and created growth drivers for foreign trade.

In July, exports of China's high‑tech products surged by more than 50%, contributing nearly 60% of export growth. Exports of green and low‑carbon products such as electric vehicles and lithium‑ion batteries have maintained double‑digit growth for 17 consecutive months.

Import growth continues to outpace export growth

In the first seven months of this year, China's import growth rate was 8 percentage points higher than its export growth rate.

China's import volume of bulk commodities rose by 3% year‑on‑year, with imports of metal ores increasing by 8.2%. Over the same period, imports of mechanical and electrical products reached 5.31 trillion yuan, up 29.7%, accounting for 41.9% of China's total import value.

China has pursued proactive opening‑up and taken initiatives to expand imports for balanced development of imports and exports. To date, zero‑tariff policies have been implemented for 63 countries. China has retained its position as the world's second‑largest importer for 17 years running.

Win‑win cooperation with global trade partners deepens

In the first seven months of this year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN, the EU, Latin America and Africa rose by 20%, 9.5%, 15.4% and 18.9% respectively. Trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries reached 15.36 trillion yuan, up 15.5%. Trade with other APEC economies amounted to 18.03 trillion yuan, growing 21%.

The growth is in line with China's commitment to openness, cooperation and mutually‑beneficial win‑win outcomes, as well as its outlook of sharing opportunities and pursuing common development with all countries across the world. In the first seven months, China registered growing imports and exports with over 180 countries and regions. Specifically, trade with ASEAN and Africa expanded by nearly 20%. Trade with the United States has risen for four consecutive months, reflecting more diversified and stable trade cooperation.