China’s trade imbalance with EU swells with imports in new slump

[BEIJING] China’s imports from the European Union dropped for the first time in three months, again swelling a trade imbalance that has put it on a collision course with the bloc.

In sharp contrast to China’s surging purchases of foreign goods in May, its imports from the EU slumped 1.3 per cent after two months of gains, based on preliminary and partial data released by the General Administration of Customs on Tuesday (Jun 9).

Though exports to the EU slowed and grew 7.6 per cent, the weakest since October 2025, China’s trade surplus with the bloc still widened slightly from April to stay above US$30 billion. 

The extent of the imbalance will keep the spotlight on a lopsided trading relationship, which is prompting officials in Europe to start weighing new restrictive measures against Beijing. 

Forging a common stance on China has proved difficult in the past. And with the stand-off intensifying, Beijing has pledged that it would retaliate if the EU were to proceed with new trade curbs.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host a video call between the Group of Seven countries and China to address global trade imbalances, Politico reported.

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The latest Chinese customs data for May showed that imports from Germany plummeted 6.2 per cent from the year before, in a reversal from two months of gains.

China’s purchases from France grew 24 per cent, roughly the same rate as in April, and imports from the Netherlands returned to expansion with a gain of 8.8 per cent.

More detailed data is set to be published later in June. BLOOMBERG