China exports and imports gained in December, while for the full year 2025 the nation posted a record-high annual trade surplus, the General Administration of Customs reported on Wednesday.

But such trade imbalances could have repercussions, warned some China economy observers.

China's exports rose by 6.6% on-year in December to a record monthly peak of $357.8 billion, lifted by exports to non-US countries, especially in the ASEAN and European Union blocs.

China's imports in December increased by 5.7% on year to $243.6 billion, resulting in a monthly trade surplus of $114.2 billion.

China's full-year trade surplus logged at $1.19 trillion, passing the trillion-dollar mile-post for the first time.

In contrast to China's global export surge, shipments to the US in December fell 30% on year, and fell 20% for the full year 2025, largely due higher US tariffs erected by the Trump Administration.

President Donald Trump recently stated he would raise import tariffs to 25% on any nation doing commerce with Iran, which might include China, one of Tehran's largest trading partners.

China's strong export posture helped sustain the nation's 5% economic expansion in 2025, but it is unclear how long such an imbalance can be maintained, said ING Think, an arm of the Dutch investment house, in a letter to clients.

"For China, the key question is how long this engine of growth can remain the primary driver," asked ING Think.

China's economies of scale and decades of manufacturing infrastructure and expertise will likely keep Chinese companies highly competitive in the years ahead, said ING Think.

But there is "increasing trade protectionism globally. US tariffs on China have led to a precipitous drop in exports, but the slack has been picked up by the rest of the world. Should more economies also start ramping up tariffs on China, as Mexico has done and the EU has threatened to do," the export-led growth of China could falter, advised ING Think.

Beijing has "has focused on promoting domestic demand as the future growth engine," but that process will take time, said ING Think.