China surpasses US as world's largest trading nation

Beijing describes 2013 figures as 'a landmark milestone' as annual trade in goods passes the $4tn mark for the first time

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China has overtaken the US in annual trade in goods, according to official figures. Photograph: Mark Lennihan/AP

China became the world's largest trading nation in 2013, overtaking the US in what Beijing described as "a landmark milestone" for the country.

China's annual trade in goods passed the $4tn (£2.4tn) mark for the first time last year according to official data, after exports from the world's second largest economy rose 7.9% to $2.21tn and imports rose 7.3% to $1.95tn....