US-China Trade Volume Rose Through August 2026

Bilateral trade reached $400.84 billion this year, driven by significant business at major California ports.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of stacked shipping containers in deep teal and oxblood, representing global maritime trade infrastructure. — Trade volume between the United States and China reached $400.84 billion in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 5.5 percent annual increase. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Trade between the United States and China grew by 5.5 percent year-on-year to $400.84 billion during the first eight months of 2026. This activity remains vital to the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, which handled 31 percent of total US containerized international waterborne trade in 2025.

Why it matters

Maintaining stable trade relations with China is essential to protect cargo flows and supply chains that support 2.4 million jobs across the United States. These ports continue to collaborate with Chinese counterparts to improve shipping efficiency and environmental standards.

US-China trade grew 5.5 percent year-on-year to $400.84 billion between January and August 2026. China accounts for 55 percent of trade at the Port of Long Beach and 40 percent of business at the Port of Los Angeles.

The players

Port of Long Beach

This is a major maritime gateway in Southern California that serves as a central hub for international trade.

Port of Los Angeles

This facility is a primary maritime port in the United States that handles significant volumes of containerized cargo.

The details

The Port of Long Beach processed 9.9 million TEUs in 2025, while the neighboring Port of Los Angeles manages over 10 million TEUs annually. Both facilities engage in cooperative initiatives with the ports of Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to develop green shipping corridors and enhance supply-chain digitalization.

The two ports handled 31 percent of US international waterborne trade throughout 2025.
US-China trade reached $400.84 billion between January and August 2026.

Market Landscape

These trade figures extend the patterns established by the 2025 U.S. containerized international waterborne trade volume baseline. The data highlights a continued reliance on high-volume shipping lanes despite broader global efforts toward supply-chain diversification.

Increased trade volumes typically correlate with stable supply chains for consumer goods arriving at major domestic retailers. Shoppers may experience more consistent product availability when bilateral trade efficiency remains high at major transit hubs.

The takeaway

Reliable operations at major ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach are critical for maintaining the flow of goods into the US market. Readers should note that trade statistics often serve as a leading indicator for supply-chain health and the availability of imported products.