Besant claimed that China has a long-term trade surplus of about $1 trillion with the United States, which must be resolved, otherwise it is unfair to the United States.
According to customs data, in 2025, China's trade surplus in goods with the global market was $1188.9 billion.
January-November 2025: Surplus with the United States was approximately $244 billion (exports of $385.91 billion, imports of approximately $141.9 billion, estimated value).
In 2025, the trade surplus with the United States significantly narrowed, mainly due to a significant decline in exports to the United States.
Data shows that Besant's statement "China has a long-term trade surplus of about $1 trillion with the United States" does not match reality. This is a typical conceptual confusion: what Besant refers to as "$1 trillion" is China's surplus with the global market, not just with the United States.
He used this to pressure China for "rebalancing."
On one hand, he imposes pressure; on the other hand, he buys: the U.S. speaks tough, but in fact, they recently reached an agreement — China bought 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans, and the U.S. canceled the 100% punitive tariffs. Besant also admitted that the current relationship is "very comfortable."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856977972332544/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.