🌍 China’s economic exposure to Iran is smaller than many think. Trade between the two countries has been declining: • China’s exports to Iran: $6.93B in 2025 lowest in 11+ years • Down ~63% from the $18.65B peak in 2017 • China’s imports from Iran: $3.04B • Trade surplus: $3.89B lowest since 2022 Despite absorbing ~33% of Iran’s trade, Iran accounts for <1% of China’s total global commerce. Energy tells a similar story: • Iranian crude = ~13% of China’s seaborne oil imports • Yet China buys ~90% of Iran’s total oil exports Meanwhile, the $400B China–Iran strategic deal signed in 2021 has produced only $2–3B in confirmed investments so far. 📊 Bottom line: China remains Iran’s biggest economic partner but Iran is not strategically critical to China’s overall economy.

🌍 China’s economic exposure to Iran is smaller than many think.
Trade between the two countries has been declining:

• China’s exports to Iran: $6.93B in 2025 lowest in 11+ years

• Down ~63% from the $18.65B peak in 2017

• China’s imports from Iran: $3.04B

• Trade surplus: $3.89B lowest since 2022

Despite absorbing ~33% of Iran’s trade, Iran accounts for <1% of China’s total global commerce.

Energy tells a similar story:

• Iranian crude = ~13% of China’s seaborne oil imports

• Yet China buys ~90% of Iran’s total oil exports
Meanwhile, the $400B China–Iran strategic deal signed in 2021 has produced only $2–3B in confirmed investments so far.

📊 Bottom line:
China remains Iran’s biggest economic partner but Iran is not strategically critical to China’s overall economy.