US-China head-to-head: Explained in 11 maps and charts

"Twenty-five years ago, the US was the world's largest exporter, selling goods worth $729bn in 2001, while China ranked fourth at $266bn, about one-third of US exports, according to the World Bank's World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). At that time, only 30 economies traded more with China than with the US. Today, China is the world's largest exporter, selling $3.59 trillion in goods globally compared with the US's $1.9 trillion per year. Currently, 145 economies trade more with China than with the US."

"In 2024, China sold $3.59 trillion in goods and bought $2.58 trillion, producing a trade surplus of more than $1 trillion the largest of any country. China's main exports include: Machinery and electrical machines ($1.68 trillion), such as phones and computers, accounting for nearly one-third of total exports. Metals ($286bn). Textiles ($268bn)."

"The US is the second-largest exporter in the world. In 2024, it sold $1.9 trillion worth of goods globally and bought $3.12 trillion, creating a large trade deficit. US President Donald Trump used the that trade deficit as justification for the trade ta"

The US and China are compared across economics, military, resources, and technology ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing. The visit is expected to focus on trade relations and is the first US presidential visit to China in nearly a decade. Twenty-five years ago, the US led global exports far more than China, with the US selling $729bn in goods in 2001 versus China’s $266bn. Today, China is the world’s largest exporter, selling $3.59 trillion annually compared with the US’s $1.9 trillion. In 2024, China recorded a trade surplus of more than $1 trillion, while the US had a large trade deficit, with the US buying $3.12 trillion and selling $1.9 trillion. China’s exports include machinery and electrical machines, metals, and textiles.

Read at www.aljazeera.com