China overtook Germany last year to become the world's top exporter with some $1.20 trillion worth of merchandise exported, World Trade Organisation data showed today.
Germany exported $1.12 trillion of goods, while the world's biggest importer - the US - was in third place with $1.06 trillion worth of exports last year.
WTO chief Pascal Lamy said world trade was expected to grow 9.5% in 2010, after suffering its biggest collapse since World War II in 2009. World trade plunged 12% in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.
Patrick Low, chief economist at the WTO, noted that the projected growth of 9.5% this year would need to be repeated in 2011 in order for the global economy to recover to peak trade levels reached in 2008 before the crisis struck.
