Automated guided vehicles are handling cargo at the fully automated terminal of Shandong Port Group's Qingdao Port, on February 4, 2026. Photo: VCG

China's total goods trade reached 7.73 trillion yuan ($1.12 trillion) in the first two months of 2026, with year-on-year growth returning to double digits at 18.3 percent, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Tuesday, maintaining a steady and positive momentum.

Exports totaled 4.62 trillion yuan, up 19.2 percent year-on-year, while imports amounted to 3.11 trillion yuan, up 17.1 percent, per GAC.

Among them, China's trade with ASEAN member states reached 1.24 trillion yuan, up 20.3 percent year-on-year, with both imports and exports recording double-digit growth.

During the same period, trade with the EU totaled 998.9 billion yuan, rising 19.9 percent, as both imports and exports saw positive gains.

Bilateral trade with Latin American countries also grew strongly, up 19.7 percent to 674 billion yuan.

Notably, trade with partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) surged to 4.02 trillion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 20 percent.

China-made advanced products have also gained foothold worldwide. Looking at key commodities, for example, the country's exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 2.89 trillion yuan in the first two months, up 24.3 percent year-on-year, reflecting the growing global demand for China's advanced manufacturing products.

The strong growth in both imports and exports in the first two months has continued the momentum from last year, marking a strong start to 2026, the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

"The growth trend in trade demonstrates the important role China plays in international trade. The rapid expansion reflects not only traditional industrial goods but also advanced manufacturing products, which are creating fresh drivers of growth," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

In addition, China's efforts to diversify its trade have strengthened market development in emerging countries and regions, Zhou said, reflecting on the robust growth of BRI partner countries.

More importantly, against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism, China's foreign trade growth serves as a vital stabilizer for the global economy and a key driver for enhancing supply chain resilience amid ongoing global supply chain restructuring, injecting a more positive outlook for the year ahead, the expert said.

Global Times