According to information from Baotou customs, in the first half of this year, the value of Baotou's imports and exports reached 16.73 billion yuan ($2.3 billion), a 16.6-percent increase compared to the same period last year. Exports totaled 7.65 billion yuan, up by 24 percent, while imports amounted to 9.08 billion yuan, a 10.9-percent increase.

The city continued to expand its circle of foreign trade partners. In the first half of the year, the total value of trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 10.88 billion yuan, growing by 21 percent, while trade with RCEP member countries amounted to 6.03 billion yuan, a growth of 12.4 percent.

Mongolia, Australia, and South Korea were the city's top three trading partners. These three countries together accounted for 57.1 percent of its total foreign trade during this period.

Steel and electromechanical products were the city's primary exports, with electromechanical products showing rapid growth. Imports mainly consisted of coal, iron ore, and their concentrates.