China recorded a significant boost in international trade, executing deals worth 6.11 trillion yuan ($855 billion) with BRICS countries in the first half of 2025. This marks a 3.9% year-on-year increase from January to June and underscores the growing economic influence of BRICS and China’s deepening ties with member and partner nations.
Strong Trade Growth Led by Industrial and Agricultural Exports
The surge in trade was largely driven by China’s exports of chemicals, electronics, metallurgical goods, and machinery to BRICS countries. The first half of the year also saw increased shipments of petrochemical equipment, metalworking machines, cotton harvesters, and agricultural combines. These sectors reflect China’s role as a key supplier of industrial and agricultural equipment within the BRICS alliance.
Lu Daliang, Director of the Statistics and Analysis Department at the General Administration of Customs, confirmed that BRICS members and partners accounted for nearly 28% of China’s foreign trade from January to June 2025. The figures highlight China’s strategic pivot toward emerging economies and reduced dependency on traditional Western trade blocs.
China Proposes Digital Trading Platform with SCO Nations
In a move that could further reshape global trade, China has proposed establishing a digital trading platform with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries. The announcement was made during the ongoing SCO Global Mayors Dialogue held in Tianjin.
Analysts suggest the platform could bypass the US dollar in cross-border payments, offering a digital alternative for member nations. If adopted, the system could challenge the dominance of the USD and support the ongoing realignment of global economic power towards the Global South.
With rising trade volumes and strategic innovations like digital trade platforms, China and its partners in the BRICS and SCO groups are driving a new era of global economic cooperation.
