China-France Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $72.34B total volume •China surplus: $16.77B
China → France
$44.56B
Exports (2023)
France → China
$27.79B
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$16.77B
Surplus for China
Total Trade
$72.34B
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between China and France. Green line shows exports from China, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the China-France commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
China → France Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
China's export portfolio to France demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
France → China Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
China's import pattern from France reveals significant dependencyin aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
China demonstrates competitive strength in exportingelectrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) to France, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $72.34B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: China-France Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $72.34 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: China maintains a surplus of $16.77 billion
- Export Focus: China's primary exports include electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square), communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from France include aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kn
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents one of the world's largest trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.
Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context
Trade Evolution Timeline
2019-2023: Recent Trends
Current trade volume of $72.34B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.
2015-2019: Growth Period
Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with China leveraging its comparative advantages in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led).
2010-2015: Foundation Building
Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.
Pre-2010: Early Development
Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.
Key Economic Drivers
Comparative Advantage
China's specialization in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led)complements France's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $72.34B bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $72.34B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook
Economic Impact Assessment
Trade Volume Impact
The $72.34 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) and aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
China's trade surplus of $16.77 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
- Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
- Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
- Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs
Market Position & Competitive Summary
The bilateral trade relationship between China and France represents a total trade volume of $72.34 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for China, with exports exceeding importsby $16.77 billion.
Export Strengths
China's exports to France total $44.56 billion, with competitive advantages in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), representing $1.05B or2.4% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from France amount to $27.79 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, with Aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg comprising10.7% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates China's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.
Download Bilateral Trade Data
Access detailed trade data between China and France in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023