12.09.2026 Trade & Markets #China #Russia #USA #Import #Export #Statistics
China's August exports jump 25%, imports 28% as trade surplus widens
China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) released August foreign trade data on September 8, 2026. Exports rose 25% year-on-year and imports 28.2%, both accelerating from July's 23.9% and 27.5% (ABC News; Free Malaysia Today). The trade surplus widened to $119.1 billion from $112.5 billion in July (ABC News).
Customs also reported figures in yuan, which grew at different rates: August trade totaled 4.65 trillion yuan (+19.8%), with exports up 18.6% and imports up 21.7% (Xinhua). The gap versus the dollar-denominated figures reflects the yuan's appreciation against the dollar this year.
Which goods drove the acceleration
High-tech and industrial categories led August's export growth:
- auto exports rose 43% year-on-year;
- semiconductor exports surged 129.8%;
- computers and parts grew 49.4% for the January-August period (Free Malaysia Today);
- shipments to the US reached $42.5 billion (+34.4%, up from +17% in July), widening China's surplus with the US to roughly $29.2 billion (ABC News; Free Malaysia Today);
- shipments to Southeast Asia rose 30.2%, to the EU 6.6%, to Latin America 17.5% (ABC News).
Eight-month cumulative totals
For January-August 2026, China's total goods trade reached 34.78 trillion yuan (about $5.13 trillion), up 17.6%; exports totaled 20.17 trillion yuan (+14.6%), imports 14.61 trillion yuan (+22%) (AA.com.tr; Xinhua). Imports have outpaced exports for six straight months, while both have posted double-digit growth for four consecutive months (Xinhua).
What it means for companies trading with China
For Russian and Eurasian trade partners, one figure stands out: China-Russia trade for January-August 2026 rose 28.4% to $185.047 billion. Chinese exports to Russia grew 30.7% to $84.675 billion, while Russian shipments to China grew 26.5% to $100.372 billion. In August alone, bilateral trade totaled $25.603 billion - $13.752 billion from Russia to China and $11.851 billion from China to Russia (Moscow 24).
The gap between the two growth rates - Chinese exports to Russia outpacing Russian exports to China - means machinery, electronics and auto components will keep gaining share in bilateral trade flows, adding pressure on cross-border logistics and payment channels to absorb higher physical volumes. For importers of Chinese electronics, vehicles and equipment, the export sector's acceleration signals stable supply but also possible congestion at ports and border crossings; for exporters of raw materials to China, demand growth remains solid but continues to lag the pace of Chinese exports.
Outlook for a record surplus
Analysts cited by ABC News note that exports have now outrun imports for several months running, a pattern that could push China toward a new full-year record surplus - last year's already reached a record $1.2 trillion (Euronews). GACC's next monthly release, covering September 2026, is due in early October.
Primary sources
- China's foreign trade expands 17.6 pct in first 8 months of 2026 (Xinhua)
- China's foreign trade jumps 17.6% in first 8 months of 2026 (Anadolu Agency)
- China's exports pick up in August, jumping 25% as its trade surplus widens (ABC News)
- China says imports and exports surged in August (Free Malaysia Today)
- China exports accelerate on strong demand for autos and high-tech goods (Euronews)
- Товарооборот России и Китая вырос на 28,4% (Москва 24)
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.