Which Country Is the Largest Exporter of Goods in the World? (2024)

China has been the largest exporter of goods in the world since 2009. Data from the World Bank indicates that the country’s total exports amounted to $3.71 trillion in 2022.

In 2013, China became the largest trading nation in the world based on the value of its imports and exports. The United States previously held that position.

The country with the title of largest exporter of goods in the world has changed numerous times in the past, and it will probably continue to do so. In the 19th century, Britain was known as the "workshop of the world" and ruled a global empire based on trade.

By the 21st century, China had become "the world's factory." However, the Silk Route and the size of China's economy suggest that it was often the largest exporter of goods in previous centuries.

Key Takeaways

  • China has been the largest exporter of goods in the world since 2009, and total Chinese exports amounted to $3.71 trillion in 2022.
  • China's exports and economy grew dramatically following the opening of the country to trade under Deng Xiaoping.
  • The top goods by value exported from China in 2022 were phones (including smartphones).
  • The EU, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea have been among China's largest trading partners.

The Growth of China's Exports

China’s growth into a global trading giant was exceptionally rapid. For several centuries, the Chinese government pursued isolationist policies. This isolation continued under Chair Mao Zedong.

After his death in 1976, the country developed a new focus on trade and foreign investment. China's economic growth generally has been substantial since that time.

Deng Xiaoping launched China's economic opening in the late 1970s. The role of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) declined as China pursued economic growth in tune with capitalism. Between 1983 and 2013, China averaged annual economic growth of about 10% per year. During this period, the country followed an export-led growth strategy.

Special economic zones (SEZs) in China played a major role in the country's economic boom and the growth of exports. Within SEZs such as Shenzhen, China offered tax incentives to foreign investors. These incentives included the ability to import equipment and technology tax-free.

President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping attempted to keep China's annual growth high by increasing debt, but he encountered several challenges. First, the rise of protectionism in the U.S. and China's persistently high trade surplus with the U.S. brought about a trade war. And China suffered a severe economic downturn during early 2020.

If the countries of the European Union are taken as a whole, the EU region would be the largest exporter in the world, with $9.3 trillion in exports in 2022.

China's Top Exports

China has a large number of dominant industries that create products and materials for export. In 2022, the top six product groups with the highest value of exports were:

Top Six Export Product Groups in 2022
Electrical machinery & equipment$954.8 billion
Machinery, including computers$552 billion
Vehicles$150.2 billion
Plastics$143.5 billion
Furniture, bedding, lighting, signs, prefabricated buildings$130.9 billion
Iron or steelitems$110.3 billion

The top 10 exports most in demand in 2022 and their value were:

Top 10 Export Products in 2022
Phone devices including smartphones$238.08 billion
Computers, optical readers$187.9 billion
Integrated circuits/micro-assemblies$154.52 billion
Solar power diodes/semi-conductors$65.88 billion
Electric storage batteries$57.22 billion
Automobile parts/accessories$49.73 billion
Models, puzzles, other toys$48.35 billion
Processed petroleum oils$48.3 billion
Electrical converters/power units$47.47 billion
Lamps, lighting, illuminated signs$46.06 billion

China's Trading Partners

Two of China's main trading partners are its geographically close neighbors, Japan and South Korea. China has done a great deal of business with the U.S. as well, although the U.S. has labeled China a currency manipulator amid substantial trade tensions.

Due to those trade difficulties with the U.S., as of the first half of 2023, China is no longer the top exporter of goods to the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, from January to May, U.S. imports from China fell 25% year-to-year. In June 2023 alone, U.S. imports of Chinese goods dropped by $2.3 billion.

China also has had significant trade relations with the EU. The EU was China's largest trading partner early in the 21st century, and China was second only to the U.S. among the EU's trading partners.

Accuracy of Data From China

There have been concerns about the accuracy of Chinese data collection when it comes to exports. Some observers suspect that China has overstated its total exports to avoid controls on international transactions in a bid to bring more money into the country.

Why Have Chinese Exports to the U.S. Decreased?

The decrease in U.S. imports from China is tied to the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries plus U.S. government restrictions on China's ability to obtain U.S. processor chips and other technology.

How Has Weaker Trade Affected China's Economy?

As China's trade has weakened, its economic growth prospects have dimmed. Slower economic activity for the nation is expected to continue in 2023.

What Country Replaced China in 2023 As Top U.S. Trading Partner?

Mexico replaced China as the U.S.'s top trading partner in early 2023. Total trade between Mexico and the U.S. from January through April amounted to $263 billion.

The Bottom Line

The People's Republic of China is the largest exporter of goods in the world, with a total export value for 2022 of $3.71 trillion. The nation claimed the top spot in 2009. Phones, including smartphones were the primary product export in 2022, with an export value of $238.08 billion.

In 2023, China lost its place to Mexico as the top U.S. trading partner.

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy.

Open a New Bank Account

×

The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.

Sponsor

Name

Description

Which Country Is the Largest Exporter of Goods in the World? (2024)

FAQs

Which Country Is the Largest Exporter of Goods in the World? ›

China has been the largest exporter of goods in the world since 2009, and total Chinese exports amounted to $3.71 trillion in 2022. China's exports and economy grew dramatically following the opening of the country to trade under Deng Xiaoping.

What country is the world's largest exporter of goods? ›

China leads the list of the world's largest exporter. Interestingly, of the top 10 leading exporting countries, 4 are from Asia, 5 from Europe and 1 from North America.

Which country is the largest net exporter? ›

China is the country with the largest trade surplus or highest negative net imports. In other words, it is the biggest net exporter in total value terms.

Which country is the world's largest exporter of Quizlet? ›

a U.S. export. Currently, the world's largest exporter of goods (in dollar volume) is: China.

What country exports the most produce? ›

The United States is often cited as the world's largest food exporter, leading in both volume and value of food exports globally.

What country imports the most goods in the world? ›

The United States is the largest goods importer in the world. U.S. goods imports from the world totaled $3.2 trillion in 2022, up 14.6 percent ($413.7 billion) from 2021.

What is the US #1 export? ›

The most recent exports are led by Refined Petroleum ($138B), Crude Petroleum ($118B), Petroleum Gas ($116B), Cars ($57.5B), and Integrated Circuits ($49.8B). The most common destination for the exports of United States are Canada ($308B), Mexico ($294B), China ($151B), Japan ($79.5B), and United Kingdom ($75.4B).

Who is the top 1 exporter? ›

The People's Republic of China is the largest exporter of goods in the world, with a total export value for 2022 of $3.71 trillion.

What country is the largest export partner? ›

By 2020, China had overtaken the U.S. as the world's biggest trade partner.

Who is the largest exporter to US? ›

Right now, Mexico is the biggest exporter to the US for the first time in 20 years. The latest figures from the US Department of Commerce show that it overtook China in 2023. US imports from Mexico rose to $475.6 billion in 2023 (+4.6%).

Which US state is the biggest exporter? ›

Texas is the leading U.S. exporter to major global economies, including Canada, China, the U.K. and Germany.

What country do we export the most to? ›

Canada was the largest purchaser of U.S. exports in 2022, accounting for 17% of total exports, followed by Mexico, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Is the US the largest exporter? ›

Despite this increase, the U.S. has increased the number of exports substantially. In 2022, America increased the export of goods and services to $3.01 trillion. This was a $455.2 billion, or 17.8% increase over 2021. The U.S. was the largest exporter of services and the second largest exporter of goods in the world.

What is China's main export? ›

Export of goods from China

Machinery such as computers, broadcasting technology, and telephones as well as transport equipment make up the largest part of Chinese exports. This category amounted to approximately 1.69 trillion U.S. dollars in export value in 2022.

Is Mexico the US's largest trading partner? ›

New numbers from the US Census last week indicate that Mexico is the US's top trading partner. In 2023, the US traded $798bn with Mexico as the goods it bought from its southern neighbour surged past China and Canada.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6798

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.