China's Foreign Trade Stays on a Steady Growth Track, Up 17.3% in First Seven Months

China's foreign trade is holding to a track of steady growth. According to the General Administration of Customs, in the first seven months of 2026 the total value of China's goods trade reached 30.13 trillion yuan, about 4.5 trillion US dollars, up 17.3 percent year on year. Exports rose 14 percent to 17.44 trillion yuan and imports climbed 22 percent to 12.69 trillion yuan, with China maintaining trade ties with more than 180 countries and regions.

Mechanical, electrical and green industries lead

The export mix keeps upgrading. In the first seven months, exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 11.12 trillion yuan, up 21.2 percent year on year, accounting for 63.8 percent of total exports, 3.8 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Electric vehicles, 3D printers, industrial robots and wind turbines led the growth. In the global market, China accounts for about 80 percent of photovoltaic modules and about 70 percent of wind power equipment.

An official with the China Machinery Industry Federation said foreign trade now places more emphasis on technology-intensive products, green industries and higher-value exports. A shift from competing on quantity to competing on quality is taking hold.

Imports show a big market

The strength of imports is also drawing attention. Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China at ING, said strong imports growth underscores China's role as a major global market. Robust import demand is drawing more overseas firms toward the Chinese market.

Foreign investment and confidence

Foreign-invested companies are an important force in trade. In the first seven months, their imports and exports totaled 8.78 trillion yuan, up 17.6 percent year on year. New logistics links and manufacturing plans are extending too: FedEx opened a Sydney-to-Guangzhou cargo route, and the German industrial safety valve maker Leser is expanding in Tianjin. FedEx's China president said speed, reliability and resilience are becoming increasingly critical for exporters and importers.

From machinery to green industries, from exports to imports, from domestic to foreign-invested firms, this trade scorecard shows both close links with global markets and fresh momentum from industrial upgrading. With the external environment still uncertain, whether the momentum can be sustained bears watching.