According to the data announced by the General Administration of China's Customs on July 14, the trade volume between China and Russia increased by 25.6 percent in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period of last year and reached 134.17 billion dollars.
This increase in trade between the two countries was significantly faster compared to the trade relations between China and the USA. The trade volume between China and the USA, the world's two largest economies, was recorded at the level of 289.15 billion dollars in the same period and almost did not change compared to the same period last year.
The acceleration of trade between Russia and China reflects the permanent structural change that began after 2022.
China's exports to Russia increased by 28.4 percent between January and June and reached 60.60 billion dollars. Industrial equipment, electronic products and consumer goods, which Russian buyers continued to show high demand due to the limited alternative supply channels, became the main executive force of this export.
China's imports from Russia increased by 23.3 percent to 73.58 billion dollars. In this process, China increased its purchase of energy resources, metals and agricultural industrial products from Russia.
In June, the mutual trade volume between the two countries amounted to 24.35 billion dollars. During this period, shipments from China were recorded at the level of 11.43 billion dollars, and shipments from Russia were recorded at the level of 12.92 billion dollars.
Thus, Russia continued to give a foreign trade surplus on a monthly basis as a requirement of the trade structure based on the import of finished products in response to the export of raw materials.
The rapid increase in China's exports to Russia coincided with a period of import mobility throughout China.
According to the data shared by the Reuters agency, China's overall imports increased by 36 percent year-on-year in June, reaching the highest level in the last five years. Especially theintense demand for semiconductors drew attention.
With the increase in investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, China's purchases from South Korea increased by 85 percent and purchases from Taiwan by 41.1 percent.
China GDP data may affect Russia's export revenues
In order to evaluate the global economic framework, China's 2026 second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data, which is planned to be announced on Wednesday, July 15, is important.
Market expectations are shaped that the Chinese economy will grow by 5.1 percent on an annual basis.
If the growth rate remains below 4.8 percent, it is predicted that oil and metal prices may remain under pressure, which may affect Russia's export revenues.