China publicly denies status as world's biggest trader

BEIJING (AP) - China's government has taken the unusual step of publicly denying it passed the United States last year as the world's biggest trader - a politically sensitive status.

Trade data from both governments indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of US$3.866 trillion (S$4.78 trillion) to $3.822 trillion, or about $44 billion.

China's Commerce Ministry issued a statement Tuesday denying that.

It said China still lagged by $15.6 billion last year under World Trade Organisation standards for valuing goods.