According to Reuters, China’s export structure has continued to upgrade over the past decade, with exports of automobiles, industrial robots, data center equipment, and high-end chemicals experiencing growth, while traditional products such as footwear, toys, and furniture have seen stagnation or decline. This shift correlates with China’s efforts to move its manufacturing sector toward higher value-added segments, intensifying competition between Chinese and foreign manufacturers.
Data shows that from 2015 to 2025, China’s automotive exports surged by 1,871 percent, while industrial robot exports rose by more than 300 percent. In the first half of 2026, chip exports nearly doubled to $17.728 billion, and computer and server exports grew by 41.3 percent. Chinese companies have also expanded overseas sales of products including vacuum cleaners and smart lawn mowers.
The report notes that China’s manufacturing competitiveness extends beyond finished goods to components essential for AI-powered data centers—such as transformers, cables, and control boards. Meanwhile, chemical firms have received approximately $75 billion in subsidies over the past decade, contributing to oversupply in certain basic chemicals. Faced with Chinese enterprises’ advantages in pricing and scale, U.S. and European counterparts have responded with trade barriers or anti-dumping investigations, indicating that competitive pressures are shifting from consumer goods into sectors such as automobiles, chemicals, and industrial equipment.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880367947332608/
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