Trade value grew 8 percent year-on-year, with exports upping at the same rate to $263.5 billion, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said Friday, citing estimated figures.

The number of trade items valued over $1 billion was 32, 1.5 times higher than in 2011. Six were over $10 billion each, and eight over $5 billion.

Japan, the U.S., the E.U. and ASEAN were major export markets. Vietnam had a trade surplus of $46.7 billion with the U.S., and almost $27 billion with the E.U.

However, Minister Anh expects challenges in trade next year due to the persisting U.S.-China trade war and increasing protectionism.

This is the fourth year in a row Vietnam records a trade surplus. The value was $6.3 billion in 2018 and $2.1 billion in 2017.