MONEY MASTER

China’s trade volumes surged to record levels at the start of 2026, but escalating tensions in the Middle East now pose fresh risks to global shipping and export momentum. Key Takeaways China’s trade volumes surged above last year’s record levels before the Iran conflict erupted. Over 59 million containers were processed in the first nine weeks of 2026, up more than 12% year-on-year. Escalating tensions around Iran now threaten Middle East demand and global shipping routes. Record Container Throughput in Early 2026 More than  59 million containers  moved through Chinese ports in the first nine weeks of the year — up over  12% year-on-year , according to the Ministry of Transport. The strong start extended the export surge seen in late 2025, when total outbound shipments reached  US$3.8 trillion , a record high. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.  noted that freight volumes from 20 major Chinese ports also exceeded 2025 levels. Key Point: China’s trade momentum was acceler...

China has pulled off a major trade surprise — racking up a  record trade surplus of US$586 billion  in the first half of 2025, even as global trade tensions roiled markets. Key Highlights: June Exports : +5.8% YoY to US$325 billion June Imports : +1.1% YoY (first growth since Feb) Surplus : Highest ever recorded for H1 Exports to the  US dropped 16.1% , but China made up the shortfall with a  17% surge in shipments to ASEAN , showing just how agile Chinese exporters have become at navigating geopolitical landmines. Resilience Amid Tariffs Despite slashing US-bound exports by over  34% in May , Chinese factories  recovered strongly in June , front-loading shipments and  diverting trade routes  through Southeast Asia. 🗣️ “China’s trade resisted pressure and progressed in the first half of the year,” said Wang Lingjun, China Customs. But warning lights remain. The  US will implement a new round of tariffs from August 1 , including: A  50% ...

China's enormous trade surplus is unsustainable for the global economy, according to Charlene Barshefsky, the former U.S. Trade Representative under President Bill Clinton. In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Barshefsky emphasized that China's reliance on exports and its focus on manufacturing at the expense of domestic consumption has led to an imbalanced economy that is increasingly problematic for the world. She warned that the current surplus, which reached a record US$992 billion (RM4.4 trillion) in 2024, is "too big to accept." Barshefsky attributed this surplus to China's over-reliance on manufacturing investment and suppression of domestic demand. She stated that the world is facing a demand problem, not a supply problem, with China’s export-driven growth exacerbating this issue. Barshefsky echoed calls from U.S. Treasury officials urging China to rebalance its economy and focus more on domestic consumption. However, despite China signaling a shift ...

 The brief rally in  Chinese equities  fueled by stimulus optimism is losing momentum as  investor doubts resurface over Beijing's ability to revitalize the world's second-largest economy. Key Points: Trade Data Highlights Challenges: Imports fell 3.9% year-on-year in November , marking the sharpest drop in 14 months and defying expectations of a 0.2% rise, per FactSet data. Exports increased 6.7%,  slowing significantly from October’s 12.7% jump, indicating potential headwinds for the economy. These figures come amid looming threats of  higher U.S. tariffs  under President-elect Donald Trump, which are expected to further impact Chinese exports in 2025. Investor Sentiment Turns Cautious: Optimism about Beijing’s looser monetary policies and  proactive fiscal measures  faded quickly. The  CSI 300 Index  surged 3.3% at one point on Monday but ended the day up just 0.7%. AJ Bell analyst Dan Coatsworth noted,  "The trade data fail...

China's exports grew at their fastest pace in fifteen months in June, rising 8.6% year-on-year, surpassing the forecasted 8.0% increase. This growth suggests that manufacturers are accelerating orders ahead of expected tariffs from an increasing number of trade partners. However, imports fell by 2.3%, marking a four-month low and highlighting weak domestic demand. The mixed trade data underscores the need for further government stimulus to support the $18.6 trillion economy, which is still struggling to regain momentum. Analysts caution that the sustainability of the recent strong export performance is uncertain due to escalating trade conflicts and protective measures from major trade partners. China's trade surplus hit a record $99.05 billion in June, up from $82.62 billion in May. The United States, which has increased tariffs on Chinese imports, continues to cite this surplus as evidence of unbalanced trade. With domestic demand remaining sluggish, as evidenced by the drop ...