China’s exports surged 36.3% year-on-year in September, the fastest pace since February, as demand for AI-related goods such as semiconductors and autos drove shipments overseas, the country’s customs agency said Wednesday. Imports rose 31% over the same period, accelerating from August’s 28.2% increase, but the trade surplus still widened to $133.5 billion for the month.
For the first nine months of 2026, China’s trade surplus reached $938 billion, putting it on track to exceed last year’s record $1.2 trillion, according to official data. High-tech products, including components tied to the KI-Boom, fueled the export growth, with customs officials noting increased demand for circuits, storage media, and power transmission products.
The EU, facing a daily trade deficit with China exceeding $1.1 billion, has moved to curb imports, including a preliminary deal to cap Chinese hybrid vehicle shipments at 350,000 annually. EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič announced the agreement following talks in Beijing with Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao, aiming to halve hybrid car imports over the coming years. The measures target high-value exports as pressure mounts from trading partners to rebalance trade.
China’s exports to the EU rose 25.3% in September, while imports from the bloc increased just 0.7%, customs data showed. The imbalance has intensified calls for reciprocity, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning last month that the bloc’s trade deficit with China had reached a “tipping point.”
