国泰海通｜宏观：战略相持期的出口如何表现——2025年9月贸易数据点评

Core Viewpoint - The short-term evolution of imports and exports is characterized by a slight decline in export momentum and a significant drop in year-on-year growth due to elevated baselines, alongside a rebound in import growth, which compresses trade surplus and highlights the importance of domestic demand [1][2]. Group 1: Export Dynamics - The current critical issue is how China's exports will perform during the strategic stalemate phase of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations, especially after effectively countering U.S. trade barriers through tariffs and export controls [2]. - The impact of traditional U.S. trade barriers on China's exports is decreasing, while China's export controls have a minimal direct impact on its own exports but significantly affect other countries' industries [2][6]. - In September 2025, China's export growth rate in dollar terms was 8.3%, up from 4.4% previously, while import growth was 7.4%, up from 1.3% [6]. Group 2: Import Trends - The import growth rate has shown a significant seasonal rebound, indicating a potential impact on trade surplus in Q4 due to the recovery of import growth since July [2][6]. - The trade surplus has decreased, and the decline in growth rates for exports to ASEAN may be attributed to re-export regulations or a normal cooling off after a technical surge in August [6]. Group 3: Structural Changes - The long-term trend of "de-Americanization" in China's exports continues, with a sustained decline in export growth to the U.S. and re-export destinations, while maintaining high growth rates to other regions [6]. - The current export resilience is strong, with previously rushed orders being gradually digested, indicating that the impressive export performance has already accounted for the negative impacts of tariffs and order front-loading [6].