Russia-China Trade Surges 25.6% in First Half of 2026
Bilateral trade between Russia and China reached $134.2 billion in the first half of 2026, up 25.6% year-on-year, according to official data.
Trade between Russia and China rose 25.6% year-on-year in the first six months of 2026, totaling $134.2 billion, according to data released by Russia's trade mission in China on Tuesday.
Russian exports to China grew 23.3% to $73.6 billion between January and June, while imports from China increased 28.4% to $60.6 billion, giving Russia a trade surplus with its largest trading partner.
The rebound marks a reversal from 2025, when bilateral trade fell for the first time in five years, driven by lower Chinese vehicle exports to Russia and falling Russian oil revenues.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted of a “steady” 10% increase in bilateral trade during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, expressing hope to maintain this momentum.
China's overall foreign trade also expanded in the first half of 2026, growing 21.2% to $3.67 trillion. Exports were up 17.6% to $2.13 trillion, and imports rose 26.6% to $1.55 trillion.
Russia and China have deepened political and economic cooperation since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, describing their ties as a “no-limits” partnership. Russia has become increasingly reliant on China for oil sales as its access to Western markets has diminished.
