Chinese exports rise 25% on explosive growth in AI technology

China has recorded historically strong export growth, driven by the rapid rise of AI and semiconductor technology. In August, Chinese exports rose 25% year on year, while imports increased 28%. The monthly trade surplus therefore rose to $119 billion, and the cumulative surplus over the first eight months of 2026 now stands at $806 billion.

In brief:

• Chinese exports rise 25% in August, largely driven by high-tech products
• Semiconductor exports jump 130% year on year
• Trade surplus heads for a new annual record, after $1.2 trillion in 2025

Semiconductors and AI drive growth

More than half of total export growth in August was accounted for by high-tech goods. Exports of integrated circuits, better known as chips, rose by as much as 130% year on year. The broader category of high-tech products grew by 57%.

That is according to data from Chinese customs, cited by The Kobeissi Letter. The figures show that the global AI investment wave is directly reflected in Chinese trade figures.

Trade surplus on course for new record

The trade surplus of $806 billion over the first eight months of this year suggests that China is again heading for an annual record. In 2025, the total surplus was $1.2 trillion.

The combination of rising exports and increasing imports also points to growing domestic demand for raw materials and components needed for the production of high-tech goods. The question is how far the growth will continue now that geopolitical tensions around the chip trade have not disappeared.