China’s export boom creates a difficult trade bargain for Southeast Asia

Summary

China’s export boom is accelerating as its domestic economy remains under strain, and its trade partners are questioning whether persistent surpluses can coexist with balanced regional growth, the South China Morning Post says. It reports that September exports rose 36.3% year on year, shipments to Southeast Asia jumped 52.3%, and the trade surplus reached $133.5 billion, bringing the January-September total to $938.1 billion. This follows earlier reports that September exports surged 36.3% year on year and the nine-month trade surplus reached about $938 billion.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   19 Oct 2026, 08:30 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post says China’s export boom is straining trade relations, reporting that September shipments to Southeast Asia rose 52.3% and the nine-month trade surplus reached $938.1 billion.