China expects its trade with Iraq to grow in 2025 despite falling global oil prices, Chinese Ambassador to Iraq Cui Wei said. He emphasized that the partnership between Baghdad and Beijing remains strong and strategic.
At a press conference, Wei said crude oil remains the main export from Iraq to China. He explained that Iraq’s large oil reserves continue to fuel trade expansion between the two nations. Both sides Iraq and China expects and aim to explore more opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and logistics.
Wei said China and Iraq are in talks over the Development Road project, which seeks to connect southern Iraq to Turkey through a 1,275-kilometer rail and road network. He confirmed that several Chinese companies plan to invest once Iraq finalizes the project’s framework. He called the Development Road a key link in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to strengthen global trade routes between Asia and Europe.
The ambassador added that the project will lower transport costs and speed up trade between China, Iraq, and Europe. He noted that energy cooperation remains central to their economic relationship since Iraq’s oil production supports China’s growing energy needs.
Wei also shared China’s economic outlook, saying its GDP could surpass $19.7 trillion in 2025. He stated that China’s continued growth will create new opportunities for Iraq and deepen cooperation between the two countries.
With new infrastructure projects, trade expansion, and energy collaboration, China–Iraq trade is set to grow steadily in the coming year. Both governments see the partnership as vital to Iraq’s development and to China’s expanding role in Middle Eastern trade.