China Reports Record Trade Surplus Despite Trump Tariffs. China reports a record-breaking trade surplus for 2025, despite tariffs and trade pressure imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Beijing says its full-year trade surplus has reached 1.19 trillion dollars, the highest ever recorded and the first time China has crossed the one-trillion-dollar mark. The figure surpasses the previous record set in 2024. Exports remained strong throughout the year, with monthly trade surpluses exceeding 100 billion dollars on seven occasions, indicating that U.S. tariffs have had little overall impact on China’s global trade. Although exports to the United States declined, China offset those losses with increased trade to South East Asia, Africa, and Latin America. China’s customs officials describe the results as “extraordinary and hard-won,” citing strong overseas demand, growth in green technology and artificial intelligence exports, and a relatively weak domestic market driving production abroad.