The latest customs data indicates a decline of 8.1 percent in the total trade value between China and the United States during the first five months of 2025. Despite this decrease, the US continues to maintain its position as China's third-largest trading partner.

From January to May, the bilateral trade between China and the US reached a total of 1.72 trillion yuan, equivalent to approximately 239 billion dollars. This figure accounted for 9.6 percent of China's overall foreign trade, showing a slight reduction from the 10.2 percent recorded in the first four months.

Analyzing specific figures, China's exports to the US during this period totaled 1.27 trillion yuan, marking an 8.7 percent decline. Meanwhile, imports from the US decreased by 6.3 percent, landing at 447.51 billion yuan.

As the year progressed, a notable change was observed in the trade data, with the year-on-year decline in China-US trade accelerating. Earlier reports had already indicated a 2.1 percent reduction in trade for the first four months.

Industry experts, such as Huo Jianguo from the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, noted that this downward trend was anticipated. Even though a major reduction in reciprocal tariffs was discussed during the Geneva trade talks in May, high US tariffs on Chinese goods continue to create obstacles.

Huo further explained that the tariffs have led many Chinese foreign trade companies to explore alternative markets as they seek to lessen their dependence on the US. Simultaneously, US buyers are displaying caution, with orders slowing down as they adopt a wait-and-see approach amid uncertainties created by tariffs.

In contrast, China's trade relationships with other regions have been more promising. Recent figures showed a consistent growth in trade with ASEAN, the EU, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

ASEAN has emerged as China's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting 3.02 trillion yuan, up 9.1 percent year-on-year, and contributing to 16.8 percent of China’s overall foreign trade.

The EU, retaining its position as China's second-largest trading partner, saw a trade increase of 2.9 percent. Additionally, trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries rose by 4.2 percent, reaching 9.24 trillion yuan.

Despite challenges posed by US tariffs, Chinese businesses have shown considerable resilience, according to Huo. The effective market diversification efforts have allowed them to tap into other significant demands abroad.

Furthermore, Huo suggested that challenges could be mitigated by enhancing domestic sales, expanding trade in services, and increasing overseas investments. In total, China’s goods trade in the first five months of the year summed to 17.94 trillion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year growth rate of 2.5 percent.

Huo concluded by asserting that the resilience within China's foreign trade sector is apparent, underscoring the shifts in export structure and the ongoing trend toward diversification as strategies to endure external pressures.