China’s Jan–May 2025 Trade Performance

According to China Customs, January–May 2025 saw modest export growth and import contraction. Total trade was $2.49781 trillion (unit: US$100 million) – up +1.3% year-on-year. Exports were $1.48485 trillion (+6.0% YoY) and imports $1.01296 trillion (–4.9% YoY), yielding a $471.89 billion trade surplus. Export growth was broad but uneven: general-trade exports (66.0% of total) rose ~+5.8%, processing-trade exports ~+3.3%, while “other” exports surged +10.4%. On the import side, general-trade imports (61.4% share) fell –8.8%, but processing-trade imports jumped +8.0%. In short, exports remained resilient while import demand softened. This reflects still-strong external demand (notably from Asia) and weaker domestic import needs – an important signal for China’s industrial supply chains.

Table: China’s export summary, May and Jan–May 2025 (unit: US$100 million, YoY = year-on-year; source: China Customs).

Table: China’s import summary, May and Jan–May 2025 (unit: US$100 million; source: China Customs).

Regional Trade Highlights – Major Asian Partners and the US. The attached trade-by-country table (below) shows detail for key partners. The ASEAN bloc (ten Southeast Asian economies) remains China’s largest trading partner, with Jan–May trade of $420.47 billion (+7.8% YoY). Exports to ASEAN surged +12.2% to $264.59B, while imports from ASEAN edged +1.2% higher (total surplus $108.70B, +32.9%). All major ASEAN economies showed solid export growth: China’s exports to Vietnam (+18.8%), Thailand (+20.9%) and Indonesia (+16.8%) saw double-digit gains. Notably, exports to Vietnam alone jumped +18.8% while imports fell –3.3%, yielding a $41.08B surplus. These trends reflect robust regional demand (and improving logistics under C/PFTA 3.0), offering ample opportunity for Chinese chemical suppliers via platforms like TDD as ASEAN manufacturing rebounds.

According to recent customs data, ASEAN accounted for ~16.8% of China’s Jan–May trade (consistent with reports that ASEAN held a 16.6% share in Q1 2025). For example, Fibre2Fashion notes ASEAN Q1 exports up >20% YoY. This strong ASEAN performance underscores China’s pivot to Asian markets in 2025, an important context for chemicals: many basic chemicals (e.g. polymers, agrochemicals, petrochemicals) flow between China and ASEAN. TDD Global’s network can leverage this by linking Chinese exporters with ASEAN importers that are growing demand for specialty chemicals and manufacturing inputs.

Japan and Korea – China’s trade with East Asia was mixed. Trade with Japan totaled $125.29B (Jan–May), up only +1.2%. Chinese exports to Japan grew +4.4% to $64.29B, while imports from Japan fell –2.0% to $61.00B, leaving a small trade surplus of $3.29B. China’s exports to Japan include intermediate goods and machinery; chemical exports (e.g. petrochemicals, performance materials) to Japan have grown in recent years, though this data suggests modest gains. In contrast, South Korea saw a slight decline: total China–Korea trade was $129.65B (–0.6%), with Chinese exports down –1.3% to $58.79B and imports flat at $70.85B. The resulting $12.06B deficit reflects Korea’s exports of tech and components. Overall, trade with Japan/Korea is relatively stable; for chemicals, supply chains remain intact but competitive, underscoring the need for efficient sourcing (a TDD focus) amid slower growth.

Taiwan and India – Taiwan’s trade climbed sharply: Jan–May total was $123.67B (+13.3%), with exports $32.11B (+9.6%) and imports $91.56B (+14.7%). China ran a $59.44B deficit with Taiwan. The surge in Taiwan-related trade likely reflects strong demand for electronics and components (boosting China’s imports). India also saw robust growth: total China–India trade $61.58B (+10.3%), with exports $54.10B (+15.1%) and modest imports $7.48B (–15.5%). The $46.62B surplus with India highlights China’s growing exports of manufactured goods (chemicals included, such as specialty/resins used in India’s industries). For both Taiwan and India, these trends suggest opportunities for Chinese chemicals: strong electronics sectors in Taiwan and India need advanced materials, while India’s broad industrial growth is spurring chemical demand. TDD-global can capitalize by facilitating exports of intermediates (e.g. polymers, additives) to these markets.

United States – Jan–May trade with the US fell significantly. Total trade was $239.71B, down –9.1% YoY. Chinese exports to the US were $177.42B (–9.7%) and imports $62.29B (–7.4%), yielding a $115.12B surplus. This contraction follows softening US demand and front-loaded shipments earlier in 2025 (ahead of tariff changes). Notably, China’s exports to the US include consumer goods and electronics – sectors sensitive to US economic cycles. In chemicals specifically, observers note “China’s chemical exports to the US are modest”. In other words, although headline export volumes fell, the direct impact on the Chinese chemical export sector may be limited. It does, however, emphasize China’s increasing trade focus on Asian neighbors versus the US.

Table: China trade with major partners, Jan–May 2025 (unit: US$100 million; source: China Customs).

Chemical Sector Implications & TDD-Global Outlook. These trade trends have clear implications for China’s chemical industry and for platforms like TDD-global that link global buyers and suppliers. The sustained export growth – especially to dynamic Asian markets – suggests continued overseas demand for Chinese chemical products (polymers, specialty chemicals, etc.). At the same time, weaker imports indicate domestic demand (and raw material costs) are still subdued. Government stimulus and stabilization of downstream industries (as reported by Fitch and industry analysts) may gradually boost chemical consumption in H2 2025.

TDD-global’s positioning as a global chemical trading platform is well-aligned with these developments. For example, rising Chinese exports to ASEAN and India highlight opportunities to expand chemical sales in those regions, where manufacturing and infrastructure are growing. Conversely, slower trade growth with the US and Europe underscores the need for Chinese chemical firms to diversify markets – something TDD’s international network facilitates. Within China, the jump in processing-trade imports (+8.0%) may reflect import of specialty intermediates or feedstocks. TDD can help suppliers optimize cross-border sourcing of these critical inputs.
In sum, China’s Jan–May 2025 trade performance points to robust regional engagement and a pivot toward Asian markets, even as global headwinds persist. For the global chemicals community, this means watching Asia’s demand closely and leveraging digital trading platforms to navigate changing supply routes. TDD-global’s integrated supply platform is positioned to connect the shifting supply–demand patterns unveiled by this data, enabling businesses to adapt in China’s evolving trade landscape.

Table: China trade with major partners, Jan–May 2025 (unit: US$100 million; source: China Customs).
Chemical Sector Implications & TDD-Global Outlook. These trade trends have clear implications for China’s chemical industry and for platforms like TDD-global that link global buyers and suppliers. The sustained export growth – especially to dynamic Asian markets – suggests continued overseas demand for Chinese chemical products (polymers, specialty chemicals, etc.). At the same time, weaker imports indicate domestic demand (and raw material costs) are still subdued. Government stimulus and stabilization of downstream industries (as reported by Fitch and industry analysts) may gradually boost chemical consumption in H2 2025.

TDD-global’s positioning as a global chemical trading platform is well-aligned with these developments. For example, rising Chinese exports to ASEAN and India highlight opportunities to expand chemical sales in those regions, where manufacturing and infrastructure are growing. Conversely, slower trade growth with the US and Europe underscores the need for Chinese chemical firms to diversify markets – something TDD’s international network facilitates. Within China, the jump in processing-trade imports (+8.0%) may reflect import of specialty intermediates or feedstocks. TDD can help suppliers optimize cross-border sourcing of these critical inputs.
In sum, China’s Jan–May 2025 trade performance points to robust regional engagement and a pivot toward Asian markets, even as global headwinds persist. For the global chemicals community, this means watching Asia’s demand closely and leveraging digital trading platforms to navigate changing supply routes. TDD-global’s integrated supply platform is positioned to connect the shifting supply–demand patterns unveiled by this data, enabling businesses to adapt in China’s evolving trade landscape.

Table: China trade with major partners, Jan–May 2025 (unit: US$100 million; source: China Customs).
Chemical Sector Implications & TDD-Global Outlook. These trade trends have clear implications for China’s chemical industry and for platforms like TDD-global that link global buyers and suppliers. The sustained export growth – especially to dynamic Asian markets – suggests continued overseas demand for Chinese chemical products (polymers, specialty chemicals, etc.). At the same time, weaker imports indicate domestic demand (and raw material costs) are still subdued. Government stimulus and stabilization of downstream industries (as reported by Fitch and industry analysts) may gradually boost chemical consumption in H2 2025.

TDD-global’s positioning as a global chemical trading platform is well-aligned with these developments. For example, rising Chinese exports to ASEAN and India highlight opportunities to expand chemical sales in those regions, where manufacturing and infrastructure are growing. Conversely, slower trade growth with the US and Europe underscores the need for Chinese chemical firms to diversify markets – something TDD’s international network facilitates. Within China, the jump in processing-trade imports (+8.0%) may reflect import of specialty intermediates or feedstocks. TDD can help suppliers optimize cross-border sourcing of these critical inputs.

In sum, China’s Jan–May 2025 trade performance points to robust regional engagement and a pivot toward Asian markets, even as global headwinds persist. For the global chemicals community, this means watching Asia’s demand closely and leveraging digital trading platforms to navigate changing supply routes. TDD-global’s integrated supply platform is positioned to connect the shifting supply–demand patterns unveiled by this data, enabling businesses to adapt in China’s evolving trade landscape.

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