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China Ousts US As World's No. 1 Goods Trader

<p>Official figures from China show its annual trade in goods topped $4 trillion for the first time last year.</p>
Official figures from China show that it has risen to the top rank of annual trade in goods in 2013, surpassing the U.S.
Official figures from China show that it has risen to the top rank of annual trade in goods in 2013, surpassing the U.S.MARK RALSTON / AFP - Getty Images
/ Source: CNBC.com

China's annual trade in goods topped $4 trillion for the first time last year, surpassing the U.S. as the world's largest trader.

The China trade figures are closely watched for a gauge of how global demand is faring. There have been concerns about the outlook of China's economy, which is expected to record in 2013 its weakest growth since 1999.

In 2013, exports from the world's second-largest economy climbed 7.9 percent to $2.21 trillion, while imports rose 7.3 percent to $1.95 trillion, official figures showed, bringing total trade to $4.16 trillion, an increase of 7.6 percent from 2012.

Trade surplus for the full year stood at $260 billion, widening 12.8 percent from 2012.