China Posts First $1 Trillion Trade Surplus, Defying US Tariffs

• China recorded a historic annual trade surplus exceeding $1 trillion for the first time in November.
• Robust exports to markets beyond the US compensated for a 28.6% decline in US-bound shipments, driving a 5.9% overall export rise.
• The trade surplus for the first eleven months reached $1.08 trillion, already surpassing the full-year figure for the previous year.
• European nations, including France, are considering tariffs due to China's growing trade imbalance.
• Domestic fragility is evident as imports rose only 1.9%, partly due to a weak property sector and impacting consumption.

Why It Matters: China's record trade surplus despite US tariffs reshapes global trade and sparks new protectionism.