China’s Trade Engine Accelerates in 2026 on Industrial Strength and Global Breadth
Broad-based growth across partners and sectors, led by machinery and transport equipment, signals renewed strength in China’s export engine.
Broad-based growth across partners and sectors, led by machinery and transport equipment, signals renewed strength in China’s export engine.
Even as global ship orders declined in 2025, early-2026 data shows a rapid rebound, with China securing the vast majority of new contracts.
Global lithium output is expanding in Australia and Chile, but China dominates processing and battery exports, capturing most of the downstream value.
Sustained growth in R&D alongside declining filings suggests tighter standards and a reorientation toward higher-quality innovation.
Australia and Brazil dominate supply while China anchors demand, with rising exports reshaping how iron ore flows through global markets.
Global passenger car sales reached 92 million units in 2025, including more than 20 million EVs, but adoption varies widely across markets.
Global copper consumption continues to climb, and mine production expands slowly, while refining and demand remain heavily concentrated in China.
China’s exports to Africa grew 26% in 2025, led by machinery, vehicles and light manufacturing, while imports expanded only modestly.
Total retail sales expanded steadily over the past decade, while online retail grew much faster, lifting digital penetration to 32% by 2025.
China’s crude steel output has stabilised near peak levels while India expands rapidly, reflecting a gradual rebalancing of global steel demand.