Mobile phones and computers represent major factors behind China’s highest trade surpluses by product, while Hong Kong and the United States placed first and second respectively among trade partners with which the People’s Republic posted the highest positive balances.

China’s total trade balance for all products equaled a positive US$530.3 billion in 2016, more than doubling from a $196.1 billion surplus during 2009.

Year over year, China’s recent $530.3-billion trade surplus represents an -11.6% reduction from its $600.2 billion surplus for 2015.

Top Chinese Trade Balances by Product and Country

Product+

The following 10 leading products generated a surplus subtotal of $446.7 billion for China in its global trade during 2016. Metrics listed below highlight China’s strongest competitive advantages over worldwide trading partners.

1. Phone system devices including smart phones: US$155.7 billion (Up 131% since 2009)

2. Computers, optical readers: $99.1 billion (Up 24.2%)

3. Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs: $30.6 billion (Up 334.7%)

4. TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $27.8 billion (Up 8.9%)

5. Miscellaneous furniture: $25.8 billion (Up 91%)

6. Woman’s clothing (not knit or crochet): $24.4 billion (Up 88.9%)

7. Cases, handbags, wallets: $23.7 billion (Up 93.8%)

8. Footwear (rubber or plastic): $21.4 billion (Up 95%)

9. Seats (excluding barber/dentist chairs): $20.7 billion (Up 90.9%)

10. Models, puzzles, miscellaneous toys: $18 billion (Up 135.6%)

The category delivery the greatest surplus growth from 2009 to 2016 was lamps, lighting and illuminated signs (up 334.7%). In second place were models, puzzles and miscellaneous toys (up 135.6%) followed by phone system devices including smart phones (up 131%).

Product-

The 10 major products below accumulated a deficit subtotal of -$503.3 billion for China in international trade during 2016. China has demonstrated the severest competitive disadvantages in the exports and imports of the following commodities.

1. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: -US$166.2 billion (Up 71.1% since 2009)

2. Crude oil: -$115.2 billion (Up 32.3%)

3. Iron ores, concentrates: -$57 billion (Up 13.7%)

4. Cars: -$39 billion (Up 200.8%)

5. Soya beans: -$33.8 billion (Up 82.5%)

6. Petroleum gases: -$21.4 billion (Up 778.5%)

7. Copper ores, concentrates: -$20.6 billion (Up 142.6%)

8. Miscellaneous aircraft, spacecraft (e.g. helicopters, launchers): -$18.6 billion (Up 101.9%)

9. Refined copper, unwrought alloys: -$16 billion (Up 3.6%)

10. Cyclic hydrocarbons: -$15.3 billion (Up 97%)

China’s red ink in global trade expanded at the fastest rate for the following products: petroleum gases (up 778.5%), cars (up 200.8%), copper ores and concentrates (up 142.6%) and miscellaneous aircraft like helicopters or launchers (up 101.9%).

Country+

In 2016, China generated a surplus subtotal worth $763.6-billion with the following 10 trading partners.

1. Hong Kong: US$275.3 billion (Up 74.8% since 2009)

2. United States: $253.1 billion (Up 76.3%)

3. Netherlands: $48 billion (Up 52.1%)

4. India: $47.2 billion (Up 195.7%)

5. United Kingdom: $37.6 billion (Up 60.7%)

6. Vietnam: $24.4 billion (Up 110.9%)

7. Mexico: $22.2 billion (Up 163.2%)

8. United Arab Emirates: $20.5 billion (Up 27.8%)

9. Singapore: $19.9 billion (Up 61.9%)

10. Pakistan: $15.6 billion (Up 265.8%)

Surpluses from the following trade partners grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016: Pakistan (up 265.8%), India (up 195.7%), Mexico (up 163.2%) and Vietnam (up 110.9%).

Country-

China experienced a losing international trade relationship with some countries. All told, the following 10 trade partners created a -$326 billion deficit subtotal in 2016 from exchanging exports and imports.

1. Taiwan: -US$99.3 billion (Up 52.3% since 2009)

2. South Korea: -$64.5 billion (Up 32%)

3. Switzerland: -$36.8 billion (Up 759.8%)

4. Australia: -$32.6 billion (Up 73.5%)

5. Brazil: -$23.5 billion (Up 66.2%)

6. Germany: -$20.3 billion (Up 248.2%)

7. Japan: -$16.3 billion (Down -50.6%)

8. Angola: -$12.2 billion (Down -1%)

9. Malaysia: -$10.6 billion (Down -16.7%)

10. Oman: -$9.8 billion (Up 110%)

Swelling 759.8% from 2009 to 2016, Switzerland’s deficit grew the fastest. China’s negative net exports with Germany rose 248.2% followed by a 110% expansion for China’s deficit with Oman.

China saw its country-specific deficits shrink with three trade partners: Japan (down -50.6%), Malaysia (down -16.7%) and Angola (down -1%).

By DANIEL WORKMAN（Please contact the administrator if have any infringement）