Timor-Leste-China Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023
Complete trade statistics: $336.43M total volume •Timor-Leste deficit: $187.05M
Timor-Leste → China
$74.69M
Exports (2023)
China → Timor-Leste
$261.74M
Imports (2023)
Trade Balance
$187.05M
Deficit for Timor-Leste
Total Trade
$336.43M
Combined Volume
Trade Flow Visualization
Direct trade relationship between Timor-Leste and China. Green line shows exports from Timor-Leste, red line shows imports.
Detailed Product Trade Analysis
Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Timor-Leste-China commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.
Timor-Leste → China Exports
Export Market Intelligence
🎯 Strategic Export Focus
Timor-Leste's export portfolio to China demonstrates strategic specialization, with oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.
China → Timor-Leste Imports
Import Dependency Profile
📦 Import Strategy Analysis
Timor-Leste's import pattern from China reveals significant dependencyin iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.
Competitive Trade Position Analysis
Market Leadership
Timor-Leste demonstrates competitive strength in exportingoils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude to China, leveraging comparative advantages.
Trade Complementarity
The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.
Growth Potential
The $336.43M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.
Executive Summary: Timor-Leste-China Trade Relationship
Key Trade Highlights 2023
- Total Trade Volume: $336.43 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
- Trade Balance: Timor-Leste maintains a deficit of $187.05 million
- Export Focus: Timor-Leste's primary exports include oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated, vegetable products: fit for human consumption, n.e.c. in heading no. 1212, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground
- Import Dependencies: Key imports from China include iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73, cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed, iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics
Strategic Trade Indicators
📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional 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 $336.43M 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 Timor-Leste leveraging its comparative advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude.
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
Comparative Advantage
Timor-Leste's specialization in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crudecomplements China's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.
Supply Chain Integration
Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73.
Market Access & Trade Policy
Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $336.43M bilateral relationship.
Trade Pattern Insights
Trade Relationship Outlook
The $336.43M 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 $336.43 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.
Industrial Integration
Trade flows in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude and iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.
Trade Balance Effects
Timor-Leste's trade deficit of $187.05 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.
Strategic Future Outlook
🚀Growth Opportunities
⚠️Risk Factors
🎯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 Timor-Leste and China represents a total trade volume of $336.43 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for Timor-Leste, with imports exceeding exportsby $187.05 million.
Export Strengths
Timor-Leste's exports to China total $74.69 million, with competitive advantages in oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude, representing $74.13M or99.2% of bilateral exports.
Import Dependencies
Imports from China amount to $261.74 million, highlighting economic interdependence in iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73, with Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73 comprising6.0% of total imports.
The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates Timor-Leste'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 Timor-Leste and China in multiple formats.
Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023