France-China Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $72.34B total volume โ€ขFrance deficit: $16.77B

France โ†’ China

$27.79B

Exports (2023)

China โ†’ France

$44.56B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$16.77B

Deficit for France

Total Trade

$72.34B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between France and China. Green line shows exports from France, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the France-China commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

France โ†’ China Exports

$27.79B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
10.7% top product
1Aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg
$2.97B
10.7% of exports
2Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)
$1.72B
6.2% of exports
3Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN
$1.56B
5.6% of exports
4Cereals: barley, other than seed
$1.06B
3.8% of exports
5Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
$1.04B
3.8% of exports
6Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc
$951.33M
3.4% of exports
7Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials
$935.80M
3.4% of exports
8Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$773.45M
2.8% of exports
9Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$630.13M
2.3% of exports
10Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof
$598.08M
2.2% of exports

๐ŸŽฏ Strategic Export Focus

France's export portfolio to China demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

China โ†’ France Imports

$44.56B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
2.4% concentration
1Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED)
$1.05B
2.4% of imports
2Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)
$1.02B
2.3% of imports
3Communication 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
$922.42M
2.1% of imports
4Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$835.20M
1.9% of imports
5Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers
$729.99M
1.6% of imports
6Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not: puzzles of all kinds
$683.21M
1.5% of imports
7Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$677.61M
1.5% of imports
8Electrical static converters
$637.56M
1.4% of imports
9Vehicles: with only electric motor for propulsion
$464.13M
1.0% of imports
10Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display
$417.48M
0.9% of imports

๐Ÿ“ฆ Import Strategy Analysis

France's import pattern from China reveals strategic sourcingin electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

๐Ÿ†

Market Leadership

France demonstrates competitive strength in exportingaeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg to China, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
๐Ÿ”„

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsstrongcomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth Potential

The $72.34B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: France-China Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $72.34 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: France maintains a deficit of $16.77 billion
  • Export Focus: France's primary exports 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
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from China 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

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

๐Ÿ“ˆ 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 France leveraging its comparative advantages in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg.

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

1

Comparative Advantage

France's specialization in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgcomplements China's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led).

3

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 ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
๐Ÿ”ฎ

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

๐Ÿ’ฐ

Trade Volume Impact

The $72.34 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Very High
๐Ÿญ

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg and electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led) demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
โš–๏ธ

Trade Balance Effects

France's trade deficit of $16.77 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

๐Ÿš€Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in 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) present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

โš ๏ธRisk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg may affect future market positioning.

๐ŸŽฏStrategic 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 France and China represents a total trade volume of $72.34 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for France, with imports exceeding exportsby $16.77 billion.

Export Strengths

France's exports to China total $27.79 billion, with competitive advantages in aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg, representing $2.97B or10.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from China amount to $44.56 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (led), with Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED) comprising2.4% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates France's strategic sourcing from China. 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.

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Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) โ€ข Last Updated: January 2025 โ€ข Coverage: 1995-2023