Goods imports:
~US$ 2,500 billion per year (world #2)
China
China — Global Import Market
China is the world's second-largest importer, bringing in roughly US$ 2.5 trillion in goods each year. It is the largest manufacturing economy and a massive buyer of raw materials, energy, machinery, and high-end inputs used across its industrial base.
Market overview — imports by volume
Global share of imports:
~10%
Import reliance:
heavy on energy, raw materials, and advanced machinery
Notable:
the largest buyer of many commodities and intermediate goods on earth
Top 10 imported items by value
1. Semiconductors & integrated circuits
2. Crude oil & mineral fuels
3. Iron ore & ores
4. Machinery & mechanical appliances
5. Electrical machinery & electronics
6. Plastics & articles
7. Agricultural products & food
(soybeans, grains, meat)
8. Chemicals & pharmaceuticals
9. Motor vehicles & parts
10. Precision & measuring instruments
What this means for Canadian exporters
China is a massive and deep market for raw materials, energy, agriculture, and components. For Canadian exporters of lumber, minerals, food, and agri-products, China is one of the largest non-US demand pools available — though it carries its own trade-policy and relationship risks that need careful channel management.