The Global Minerals Chain From Exporting Economies to Industrial Consumers
There are two distinct roles in the global minerals system: upstream exporters and downstream manufacturing hubs, whose demand for resources continues to rise.
Key Players in the Global Fuels & Mining Products Trade
In 2024, the top ten importers bought nearly USD 700 billion more than the top ten exporters supplied.
The Shift in China’s Growth Engine: From External Dependence to Domestic Scale
China’s import intensity peaked in 2006 and has steadily declined since then as domestic production capacity and internal demand expanded.
The Rise and Fall of China’s Trade Intensity: From Export Surge to Economic Rebalancing
China’s trade as a share of GDP rose from 20% in 1980 to a peak of 64% in 2006 before falling to 37% in 2024 as the economy shifted toward domestic consumption.
China’s Long-Term Impact on Global Trade and the Reconfiguration of the World Economy
China’s rise from a minor exporter to the centre of global manufacturing redefined world trade flows, reshaped supply chains and forced the global economy to evolve.
The Evolution of China’s Trade Structure: 1992-2024
China’s accession to the WTO accelerated its shift from the “workshop of the world” to a central node of manufacturing, production and demand.
U.S. Imports and the Shifting Architecture of Global Trade (1987-2025)
As the world’s leading importer, U.S. imports over nearly four decades have reflected the evolving patterns of global trade.
Gold Import Spike Pushes India’s Trade Deficit to All-Time High
India’s trade deficit widened to a record USD 41.7 billion in October 2025, driven by a sharp jump in gold imports to USD 14.7 billion.
How Africa’s Trade Structure Shifted From 2014 to 2024
Metals, agricultural goods and food products led export gains, while food, textiles and manufactured inputs rose fastest on the import side.
China Dominates Global Steel Production and Is the Leading Exporter
China dominates steel production, accounting for 53% of global output and nearly 1 in 5 dollars of steel exports in 2024.