Singapore
↔
China

Singapore-China Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $106.26B total volume •Singapore deficit: $24.01B

Singapore → China

$41.13B

Exports (2023)

China → Singapore

$65.13B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$24.01B

Deficit for Singapore

Total Trade

$106.26B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

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

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

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

Singapore → China Exports

$41.13B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
11.0% top product
1Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits
$4.52B
11.0% of exports
2Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$3.44B
8.4% of exports
3Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)
$3.15B
7.7% of exports
4Petroleum 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
$3.04B
7.4% of exports
5Vaccines: for human medicine
$2.13B
5.2% of exports
6Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$1.98B
4.8% of exports
7Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$1.89B
4.6% of exports
8Optical instruments and appliances: for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices or for inspecting photomasks or reticles used in manufacturing semiconductor devices, n.e.c. in chapter 90
$1.16B
2.8% of exports
9Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, having a specific gravity of less than 0.94
$1.09B
2.6% of exports
10Machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture or repair of masks and reticles, assembling semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits, or for lifting, handling, loading or unloading items of heading 8486
$1.06B
2.6% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Singapore's export portfolio to China demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

China → Singapore Imports

$65.13B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
12.1% concentration
1Petroleum 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
$7.90B
12.1% of imports
2Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks
$3.94B
6.0% of imports
3Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods
$3.49B
5.4% of imports
4Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms
$1.98B
3.0% of imports
5Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display
$1.75B
2.7% of imports
6Communication 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
$1.72B
2.6% of imports
7Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$1.69B
2.6% of imports
8Tankers
$1.62B
2.5% of imports
9Heterocyclic compounds: containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or piperazine ring in the structure, (other than malonylurea and its derivatives, loprazolam, mecloqualone, methaqualone, zipeprol, and salts thereof) n.e.c. in 2933.5
$1.43B
2.2% of imports
10Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471
$1.41B
2.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Singapore's import pattern from China reveals strategic sourcingin petroleum 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, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Singapore demonstrates competitive strength in exportingmachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits to China, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

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

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $106.26B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Singapore-China Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $106.26 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Singapore maintains a deficit of $24.01 billion
  • Export Focus: Singapore's primary exports include machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits, metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder)
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from China include petroleum 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, telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks, vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 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 $106.26B 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 Singapore leveraging its comparative advantages in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits.

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

Singapore's specialization in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuitscomplements China's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in petroleum 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.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $106.26B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyModerate
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $106.26B 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

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $106.26 billion bilateral trade volume represents a major economic driverfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Critical
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits and petroleum 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 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Singapore's trade deficit of $24.01 billion impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on petroleum 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, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
Moderate concentration in key sectors requires monitoring
Market Competition
Global competition in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic 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 Singapore and China represents a total trade volume of $106.26 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Singapore, with imports exceeding exportsby $24.01 billion.

Export Strengths

Singapore's exports to China total $41.13 billion, with competitive advantages in machines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or of electronic integrated circuits, representing $4.52B or11.0% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from China amount to $65.13 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in petroleum 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, with Petroleum 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 comprising12.1% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Singapore'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.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Singapore and China in multiple formats.

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