China’s trade surplus hits record in 2025 despite US tariffs

SHANGHAI (AP) — China’s exports finished 2025 with strong growth, propelling the country’s annual trade surplus to a record high.

Data shows the nation's manufacturing power held firm against U.S. tariffs. Analysts attributed the gains to a diversification of shipments toward trade partners outside of the United States.

Bustling container activity at Shenzhen’s Yantian Port in late October 2025 reflected the upward trend, signaling continued momentum for Chinese shipping.

China’s record-breaking trade surplus in 2025 serves as a definitive marker of a profound structural realignment in global commerce, rather than a mere statistical anomaly. The data suggests that Beijing has successfully executed a strategic pivot away from the U.S. market, proactively fortifying trade ties with Southeast Asia and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partners. This diversification has effectively neutralized the brunt of Washington’s tariff-driven containment policies.

For Vietnam, this shift presents a sophisticated policy challenge. While Hanoi has been a primary beneficiary of the "China Plus One" strategy—capturing significant foreign direct investment as multinationals relocate production to bypass U.S. trade barriers—the rapid adaptation of China’s export engine underscores its enduring role as a formidable competitor.

Furthermore, the surge in Chinese trade highlights Vietnam’s persistent upstream dependency. Vietnamese manufacturing remains tethered to Chinese supply chains for critical raw materials and intermediate goods. Consequently, a resilient Chinese export sector continues to exert significant influence over Vietnam’s production costs and global competitiveness, even as trade flows are rerouted. As Beijing maneuvers through shifting geopolitical headwinds, Hanoi must now calibrate its own trade and industrial policies to navigate this increasingly complex regional dynamic.

The continued resilience of Chinese supply chains in the face of tariffs is directly shaping the cost and availability of imports reaching U.S. shores. This has significant implications for Vietnamese-American small businesses, especially those within our community's retail and service sectors. From nail salons and phở restaurants to the various storefronts across Little Saigon, many local entrepreneurs remain highly sensitive to these shifts as they depend on equipment and products sourced directly from Asia.