How Global Trade Shifted from the US to China

A clear illustration of a quarter-century transformation

25 years ago, the United States was the center of global trade. Today, everything has changed.

In 2000, only 33 countries traded more with China than with the US — mostly China’s neighbors and states with strained relations with Washington (Cuba, Iran, North Korea). By 2025, China had become the top trading partner for most countries on the planet.

Who switched to China:

— Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Russia — major commodity exporters;

— Algeria, Angola, Nigeria — oil-rich Africa;

— All of South America except Colombia and Venezuela.

The reason: Chinese demand for oil, copper, iron ore, and soybeans — plus cheap Chinese imports replacing American ones.