China’s July exports grew by nearly 24%, with technology and high-tech products leading the charge, signalling a shift towards sophisticated manufacturing despite trade tensions and domestic slowdowns.
China’s exports accelerated again in July as overseas demand for electronics linked to artificial intelligence offset slower domestic conditions and wider trade tensions. Data released by the General Administration of Customs on Friday showed exports rising 23.9% from a year earlier, slightly above Bloomberg’s 23% forecast. Imports also increased 27.5%, suggesting the country’s trade activity remained firm despite patchy local demand and disruptions from typhoons.
The strongest gains came from the technology supply chain. Exports of computers and related parts climbed 45.2% in the first seven months of the year, while The South China Morning Post reported that chip exports nearly doubled in the first half of 2026 as global AI investment lifted demand for servers, processors and other data-processing hardware. One analyst cited by Reuters, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics, said elevated trade values were being supported by booming international demand for electronics and green technology products.
The July figures also reinforced China’s growing role in advanced manufacturing. The Associated Press reported that high-tech exports rose 41% in the year to July, while vehicle shipments jumped 55% in the same period, underlining a shift away from lower-value goods towards more sophisticated industrial output. Separate reporting by the South China Morning Post said automobile exports rose 63% in July, with domestic brands accounting for most of the increase.
Still, the trade surplus remains a source of friction. According to the data, China’s surplus reached $687 billion through the end of July, putting it on course to match last year’s total. The rise has drawn concern in Europe, where policymakers and manufacturers have warned that China’s expanding export strength could intensify competitive pressure at a time when many local industries are already weak.
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