China’s exports surged 14% year-on-year in April, reaching a staggering US$359 billion (approximately Rp6,287 trillion). This robust growth, largely fueled by the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, translates into an average hourly revenue of US$500 million (Rp8.8 trillion) for Chinese exporters.
According to the latest customs data, the export of chips skyrocketed by 100%, while shipments of automatic data processing equipment—including laptops, tablets, and their components—climbed by 47%. The AI revolution is also reshaping the flow of goods into China, with imports of high-tech foreign products jumping by 42%, as reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday (12/5).
Financial analysts at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Nomura Holdings Inc. estimate that semiconductors, computers, and other AI-related products accounted for roughly half of China’s total export growth in April. This technological momentum arrives as President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to Beijing to meet with Xi Jinping. The investment wave currently driving China’s exports is simultaneously lifting major Asian economies, from South Korea to Taiwan.
The scale of this shift is underscored by US tech giants, including Alphabet Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc., which plan to allocate as much as US$725 billion (Rp12,695 trillion) toward capital expenditure this year, specifically targeting AI data center infrastructure.
Despite this growth, the economic divide between the US and China remains significant. Ongoing technological restrictions, sanctions, and trade barriers continue to impact the relationship. Although the tariffs introduced by the Trump administration have decreased from the 145% peak seen last year, the US share of total Chinese exports has hit a historic low of approximately 9%—roughly half of its 2017–2018 peak.
Nevertheless, the surge in AI-related trade highlights the deep, persistent integration between the world’s two largest economies through the global technology supply chain. While the US currently leads the world in AI investment, research from Standard Chartered Plc indicates that China emerged as the world’s largest supplier of AI-related goods last year, even as it remains a net importer of critical technologies like advanced chips.
Under the current Trump administration, the value of China’s integrated circuit exports has nearly doubled, surpassing US$31 billion (Rp542.9 trillion) in April. While partly attributed to a low base effect, total shipments to the US have recorded their highest growth in over a year, following a period of double-digit declines throughout most of 2025. This trend is mirrored across the broader region, with semiconductor sales from major producers in South Korea and Taiwan also witnessing a sharp increase in recent months.
Summary
China’s exports experienced a significant 14% year-on-year surge in April, reaching $359 billion and generating approximately $500 million in hourly revenue. This growth is primarily driven by the global artificial intelligence boom, with exports of semiconductors and data processing equipment increasing by 100% and 47%, respectively. Analysts from Goldman Sachs and Nomura estimate that AI-related products accounted for half of China’s export growth, bolstered by massive infrastructure spending from major US tech companies.
Despite this technological momentum, the economic relationship between the US and China faces challenges from ongoing trade barriers and sanctions. The US share of Chinese exports has fallen to a record low of 9%, even as the two nations remain deeply integrated within the global supply chain. While the US leads in AI investment, China has solidified its position as the world’s largest supplier of AI-related goods, witnessing a notable recovery in shipments despite broader geopolitical tensions.
