CITIC Securities says AI-related goods could become a new engine for China’s
foreign trade in 2026. Citing the WTO March Global Trade Outlook, which raised
its 2026 global trade volume YoY forecast to 1.9% from 0.5% on faster AI-related
capex, the report expects China’s exports and imports to grow about 13.2% and
15.5% YoY in 2026. Higher underlying energy prices and related incremental
demand for green products are seen as additional support; the report anticipates
China’s trade surplus will remain sizable for the year.
