China’s Exports to Africa Are Soaring as Trade to U.S. Plunges

China has racked up a $60 billion trade surplus with Africa so far in 2025, nearly surpassing last year’s total, as Chinese companies redirect trade to the region while President Trump’s tariffs crimp the flow of goods into the United States.

Through August, China exported $141 billion worth of goods and services to Africa, while importing $81 billion, according to data released by the Chinese government on Monday. The widening trade imbalance with Africa stems from surging exports of Chinese-made batteries, solar panels, electric vehicles and industrial equipment.

The swell in exports to Africa, along with record volumes of goods sold to Southeast Asia and Latin America, underscores the resilience of Chinese manufacturers in finding new markets for the products their factories continue to churn out in enormous quantities.

China has long been the biggest trading partner for the region. But the flow of Chinese-made goods has never been more important as the trade war with the United States rages on and the growth of China’s domestic economy slows. In August, China’s exports to the United States plunged 33 percent while those to Africa grew 26 percent.

In a bustling neighborhood full of electronics shops, most of the solar panels crowding the interior of nearly every storefront had one thing in common. They were made in China.