By: Fiona Cincotta, Senior Market Analyst
China’s trade dynamics are shifting as AI-driven import demand begins to outpace export growth, altering the structure of global trade flows. In March 2026, this change became more visible as imports surged sharply while exports slowed, highlighting a rebalancing within the world’s second-largest economy. The shift comes at a time when global trade is already under pressure from geopolitical tensions and weaker external demand. As a result, China’s evolving demand profile is becoming a key driver of regional and global market performance.
Fiona Cincotta, Senior Market Analyst at FOREX.com, specializes in global macro trends and cross-asset market analysis. Her focus on international trade and currency markets provides a distinct perspective on how China’s AI-driven demand is reshaping supply chains and influencing regional equity performance.
China’s demand for AI infrastructure is accelerating semiconductor imports as the country scales its technology capabilities. Fiona Cincotta notes that "imports jumped 27.8% in March, and that was well above the 11.1% increase expected", confirming the strength of this demand surge. This growth is being driven by increased investment in AI chips and data centre infrastructure, which are essential to sustaining technological expansion. Consequently, global semiconductor markets are seeing stronger demand signals from China, reinforcing the importance of Asia in the global tech supply chain. Over time, this dynamic could lead to tighter chip supply conditions and increased competition for advanced manufacturing capacity.
South Korea’s technology sector is benefiting from China’s rising AI demand, given its central role in semiconductor and server exports. Fiona Cincotta highlights that "South Korea is key to watch as a major exporter of semiconductors and servers to China", linking demand directly to regional market performance. This relationship is evident in the strength of South Korean equity indices, particularly in the technology sector. As a result, China’s import growth is redistributing economic momentum across Asia, strengthening export-driven economies tied to advanced manufacturing. This reinforces South Korea’s position as a critical supplier within the global AI ecosystem.
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--- Written by Lindo Xulu, StoneX TV Journalist
--- Expert: Fiona Cincotta, StoneX Senior Market Analyst
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