China's May Exports Increased by Over 19%; The Future Focus is on the Impact of High Crude Oil Prices

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

中国 5月の輸出額 19％余り増加 原油高の影響が今後の焦点

2026年6月9日14:58

中国

中国の5月の輸出額は、東南アジア向けが大きく伸び、アメリカ向けも大幅に増加したことから、去年の同じ月と比べて19％余り増えました。今後はイラン情勢を背景とした原油価格の高止まりがどう影響するかが焦点となります。

中国の税関当局が9日発表した貿易統計によりますと、5月の輸出額は去年の同じ月と比べてドル換算で19.4％増加しました。

これは、主要な輸出先の東南アジア向けが大きく伸びたことに加え、アメリカ向けも貿易摩擦の激化で大きく減った去年5月と比べて大幅に増加したことなどが主な要因です。

中国の輸出をめぐっては、イラン情勢を背景とした原油価格の高止まりで、主要な輸出先の内需が冷え込むのではないかという懸念が出ていて、今後、原油高がどう影響するかが焦点となります。

一方、輸入額は去年の同じ月と比べ、27.4％増加しました。

また、日本との貿易は、日中関係が悪化する中でも輸出額が10％余り、輸入額が29％余り、それぞれ増えました。

Translation

China's May Exports Increased by Over 19%; The Future Focus is on the Impact of High Crude Oil Prices

June 9, 2026, 2:58 PM

China

China's May exports increased by over 19% compared to the same month last year, driven by significant growth in exports to Southeast Asia and the United States. From now on, the focus would be on how the persistently high crude oil prices stemmed from the situation in Iran could make an impact.

According to trade statistics released by Chinese customs authorities on the 9th, May exports increased by 19.4% in dollar terms compared to the same month last year.

This was mainly due to a significant increase in exports to Southeast Asia as a major export destination, as well as a substantial increase in exports to the United States, compared to May last year when exports fell sharply due to escalating trade friction.

Regarding China's exports, concerns were rising that persistently high oil prices because of the situation in Iran might cool domestic demand in major export destinations. From now on, the impact of high oil prices would be a key focus.

Meanwhile, imports increased by 27.4% compared to the same month last year.

Furthermore, trade with Japan saw increases of over 10% in exports and over 29% in imports, even amid deteriorating Japan-China relations.

              So, China's May exports see a big increase compared to the same month last year. From now on, the focus would be on how the persistently high crude oil prices due to the situation in Iran could affect China’s trading figures in the coming months.