China Turns to Global South to Make Up for Trade Losses With the United States

Shipping containers are stacked at a port in Shanghai on June 9, 2025. AFP

China’s total global trade edged slightly higher in the first five months of the year to about $2.5 trillion, buoyed by a 7.2% increase in exports.

Those positive figures, though, mask a profound change in Chinese trade patterns where exports to the United States have fallen sharply this year in response to the escalating trade war.  In May alone, Chinese shipments to the United States plunged by 35% compared to the same time last year.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming
3
Rubio to Welcome Asian ‘Quad’ Back to Washington
4
Chinese-Moroccan Joint Venture Inaugurates EV Battery Parts Plant
5
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Appoints “Tiger-Fighter’ as New Leader
6
Six Million Donkeys Slaughtered for Chinese Medicine: Charity

You Might Like

APEC Trade Ministers Meet in South Korea Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions

By Julien Girault and Hieun Shin Trade ministers from the top economies that make up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, began a two-day meeting in South Korea’s Jeju island on Thursday, as ...

How Chicken Feet Became an Unlikely Battleground in Global Trade Wars

A recent article from Chinese media outlet Phoenix News delves into the humble yet geopolitically charged world of chicken feet—a delicacy in China and a waste product in the U.S.  The piece begins by ...

“Vietnam’s Just a Pathway of China” to the U.S., Says Commerce Secretary

The pressure on Vietnam in the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China went up significantly on Wednesday when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made it very clear that eliminating all trade tariffs on ...

China Exports Slow as Trade War Takes Toll

By Peter Catterall Chinese exports grew slower than expected in May, according to official data Monday, as shipments to the United States tumbled amid global trade turmoil triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff blitz. ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP