China's reliance on U.S. trade hits new low as Trump tariffs loom

Beijing stepped up diversification after tumult of president-elect's first term

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China conducted only 11% of its overall goods trade with the U.S. in the first 11 months of 2024. © Reuters

KENTARO SHIOZAKI, Nikkei staff writer

BEIJING -- The U.S.'s share of trade with China has dropped to its lowest level since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 as Beijing prepares for potential tariffs with the return of the Trump administration.

The U.S. accounted for 11.2% of China's overall imports and exports in dollar terms for the January-November period, Chinese customs data shows, down 4.6 percentage points from the 2001 share. The data covers merchandise trade.

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