In the news report dated March 11, 2026, it was mentioned that due to the impact of tariffs imposed by US President Trump (Donald Trump), the share of goods directly imported from China to the United States in 2025 dropped to the lowest level in over twenty years.
According to the “Global Connectedness Report” compiled by logistics group DHL, the share of goods directly imported from China to the United States in 2025 (based on data from the first three quarters) decreased to 9%, lower than the 13% in 2024 and less than half of the peak of 22% in 2017.
Reported by Nikkei Asia, Steven Altman, Director of the DHL Globalization Initiative at NYU Stern School of Business and co-author of the report, pointed out at the report release event in Hanoi that the data from the previous year was even lower than the level when China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
However, the report indicated that if the Chinese inputs included in goods imported by the United States from other countries are also taken into account, the reliance of the United States on Chinese products has not shown a significant decline trend.
“Despite a significant decrease in direct trade between the US and China, indirect trade continues to maintain a considerable level of interdependence between the two economies,” said Altman.
The Global Connectedness Report stated that the US-China relationship continues to weaken. Since 2016, the US share of trade, capital, information, and personnel flows related to China has decreased by 42%, while China’s share related to the US has also decreased by 37%.
The report pointed out that in 2025, the global merchandise trade growth rate exceeded any year since 2017 (excluding the volatile period of COVID-19). US buyers rushed to import goods before tariff hikes, while China increased exports to markets outside the US. Meanwhile, investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure has driven the trade growth of goods such as semiconductors and data transmission equipment.
The report forecasted that global trade will continue to grow at an average speed similar to the past ten years during the period of 2026-2029. The report mentioned that the US tariff hike has had a limited impact on global trade growth predictions. At the same time, other countries are supporting trade growth by maintaining tariff levels unchanged and reaching new trade agreements through negotiations to ensure access to alternative markets.
Nikkei Asia quoted John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, as saying, “Trade is like water – it will always find a way out. It flows in different directions. People are actively seeking business transactions, small trade agreements, and formal trade agreements. Trade ministers are traveling to countries they have never visited before.”