China extends trade boom as global AI tech demand surges

Chinese exports and imports surged in July, driven by a global AI boom and the manufacturing sector's reliance on overseas demand for tech products. Last year, China achieved a historic trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion, aiding its manufacturing sector through a prolonged slump in domestic consumption. The export boom continued this year, with exports climbing 23.9 percent year-on-year, compared to a 23.0 percent forecast by Bloomberg.

The data, released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC), showed that overseas shipments of computers and related parts jumped 45.2 percent year-on-year in the first seven months. Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics noted that export and import values remain elevated due to soaring global demand for electronics and green tech products.

China's trade surplus is on track to match last year's figure, reaching $687 billion through the end of July. However, this has raised concerns abroad, particularly in Europe, where leaders worry about Chinese exports squeezing out local manufacturers. Beijing has insisted it never intentionally pursued a trade surplus. In late July, the Communist Party's Politburo urged a more "balanced" trade development during a key meeting.

Pinpoint Asset Management's Zhiwei Zhang expects intense negotiations between China and its major trading partners in the coming months to make trade more balanced.

Imports increased 27.5 percent in July, extending this year's strong performance despite weak main indicators of domestic demand. However, this growth rate was slower than the 36 percent surge seen in June and missed a Bloomberg forecast of 29.5 percent growth. Despite global trading pressures from the Middle East war and simmering trade frictions between Beijing and Washington, China's shipments to the United States rose 17 percent year-on-year.

This came as the two countries remain locked in a trade war despite efforts to ease tensions. China's surplus with the United States this year stands at nearly $171 billion through the end of July, following recent trade tensions. Beijing imposed restrictions on drone exports to the United States and blacklisted six firms, while the United States continues to pressure China on national security concerns.

The relationship between the two superpowers was previously embroiled in an escalating trade war, but a truce was reached when US President Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in October. The relationship will be scrutinized further as officials prepare for Xi's state visit to the United States in late September.