The view is attributed to Wang Haifeng, a researcher with the Institute for International Economic Research at the National Development and Reform Commission. It has been echoed by Jia Huaiqin, deputy president of the Statistical Society for Foreign Economic Relations and Trade of China.
In 2009, China became the world's largest exporter and second-largest importer. The country's whole-year goods trade is expected to reach $4.14tr, a figure which the U.S is not expected to beat. The prediction could be verified when the U.S. Department of Commerce publishes its figures in February.
