What to Make of China’s Trade Surplus

The imbalance raises questions about the global economy and Trump administration policy.

Chinese national flag is seen in the foreground with container ships, cranes, and stacked shipping containers.

Listen to the full podcast December 12, 2025, 3:42 PM

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China’s annual trade surplus now stands at $1 trillion, the largest trade imbalance ever accumulated by any single country, which amounts to 1 percent of present-day global GDP. That staggering surplus raises questions about the current structure of the global economy—and the effectiveness of Trump administration

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