According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China for the first quarter of 2026, the country's external trade has shown distinct mixed dynamics. The primary increase in trade volume has come from the European Union, where figures rose by 17.6% year-over-year. The total trade volume between Beijing and Brussels reached $212.4 billion, supported by a surge in Chinese exports to the European market, which rose by 21.1% compared to the previous year.

In contrast, the interaction between China and the United States is exhibiting a prolonged decline amid ongoing geopolitical and economic tensions. The total volume of bilateral trade during the reporting period fell by 16.6%, totaling $128.68 billion. The negative trend affected both sides, with Chinese exports to the US trimming by 16.3%. Current figures confirm a long-term trend of diminishing economic ties, following a substantial one-third drop in trade volume at the end of the previous fiscal year.

Stagnated trade relations with Washington is attributed to the imposition of tariffs on a wide range of goods, enacted in the spring of last year. In response, Beijing is actively diversifying its trade partnerships, strengthening strategic cooperation with alternative partners. Thus, trade volume between China and Russia increased by 14.8% in the first three months of 2026, reaching $61.25 billion. A significant portion of this growth came from Chinese exports, which added over 22.1%, making a substantial contribution to the structure of the external trade balance.