China, US find new trade ties in services

An Express Tribune article by an independent geo-economics writer says China's global trade is moving away from factory output toward services such as software, engineering, logistics and fintech. Citing WTO figures, the piece notes China ranked fifth among the world's commercial services exporters in 2024. Its services exports climbed 17.1% year on year from January to July 2026, reaching RMB 1.77 trillion.

The piece argues that services move through software, data and digital platforms, so they largely avoid the tariffs and customs checks that weigh on goods. It also cites global figures showing services grew over 8% in 2025 while trade expanded about 6%, and says roughly half of China's services exports are digitally deliverable or knowledge-intensive. It highlights US strength too, with a record 2025 services surplus of $339.5 billion and a surplus with China of $9.366 billion for the first quarter of 2026.

The writer contends that the two economies stay closely interlinked in services even as technology controls and security concerns limit cooperation. Services rely on shared software, data and intellectual property, so pulling them apart would raise costs on both sides. The article's main concern is that conflicting regulations spread faster than firms can adjust to them.