China's Exports Jump 36% in September as AI Demand Pushes Surplus to 2026 High
Shipments beat forecasts by more than 10 percentage points, and the annual surplus is on pace to top $1 trillion again.
Trade
China Trade
- Export ControlsAnalysis
Nvidia's Huang Scandal Revives Chip Security Act Push as China H200 Sales Stay Near Zero
Three chip bills headed for the annual defense bill, including one requiring location tracking, gained momentum after the allegations. Nvidia's China business was already small, and Beijing calls the spy claims a smear.
- Trade Policy
Trump Holds Off on Robotics, Machinery Tariffs, Orders 180 Days of Trade Talks
A national security finding keeps duties on the table for Asian robot and machine-tool exporters, but the White House chose negotiations first.
- Trade Policy
Vietnam Faces Nov. 29 US Tariff Deadline in IP Probe as Tesla, Samsung Urge Restraint
Washington's intellectual property investigation could add duties on top of a 12.5% tariff, with manufacturers and rights holders split on what comes next.
- Thailand
Thailand's Exports Rise 24% in September, but Record Imports Push Trade Gap to $5.86 Billion
Electronics shipments to the U.S. powered a 27th straight month of export growth, while imports led by computers and fuel jumped 50.4% to a record.
- Indonesia
Indonesia's Trade Surplus Narrows to $3.36 Billion as September Imports Jump 18.4%
Exports rose 11.9% to $27.59 billion, but import growth is outpacing shipments and the nine-month surplus has fallen to less than a third of last year's level.
- Trade Deals
Indonesia Targets Nov. 21 Signing of EU Trade Pact Freeing 98% of Tariff Lines
Jakarta wants the deal in place before its EU tariff preferences lapse on Jan. 1, after missing an earlier October target for signing.
- ExplainerExplainer
What Is in the US-China Trade Truce, and What Happens if It Lapses in January
The deal struck in Busan in 2025 paused a tariff war, eased rare earth controls and restarted farm purchases. Here is how it works and where it is fragile.
- Vietnam
Vietnam's Trade Tops $1 Trillion in 10 Months as October Surplus Hits $6.8 Billion
Exports are running at almost twice Hanoi's growth target, and a second straight monthly surplus has cut the year's deficit to about $12.7 billion.
- Japan
Japan's Chip Exports to Southeast Asia Double, but Oil Keeps Trade in Deficit
Revised customs data show Japan's chip shipments to ASEAN up 125%, car exports to the U.S. up 31% and car sales to China down 60%.
- Critical Minerals
China's Rare Earth Magnet Exports Hit 2026 High of 6,165 Tonnes as Japan Sales Drop 19%
Europe got the most magnets since February under a fast-track licence deal, while Japan and the U.S. still lag on Beijing's most tightly controlled materials.
- U.S.-China Trade
China Ties More U.S. Farm Purchases to $30 Billion Tariff Swap as Rare Earth Pause Nears End
Beijing says extra buying depends on a reciprocal tariff deal still not finalized, while a one-year suspension of its rare earth export controls is set to lapse on Nov. 10.
