In 1999, China¡¯s trade with the European Union (EU) reached US$55.7 billion, up 3.9% from 1998. The EU was the third largest Chinese trading partner after Japan and the US.

Last year, China exported US$30.2 billion worth of goods to the US, 7.3% higher; imports from the EU totaled US$25.5 billion, up 22.7%. China¡¯s trade surplus with the EU reached US$4.7 billion.

Overall, China¡¯s exports to the EU were better in 1999 than in 1998, exports increased 6.1% from 0.2% in 1998. But, EU exports dropped from 18.1% in 1998 to 7.3%.