Our chart, based on WTO data, illustrates China’s breathtaking rise to the top of the world’s merchandise exporters over the past 23 years, while also showing who dominated world trade before the China's manufacturing sector became the all-conquering force it is today. It also shows the immense effects of globalization on export volumes. Between 2000 and 2023, global merchandise exports increased 3.7-fold from $6.5 trillion to $23.8 trillion in nominal terms, i.e. not adjusted for inflation. In the same time, China's exports grew 13.6-fold from $250 billion to $3.4 trillion, leaving other major exporters in the dust.

🔗 statista.com