The United States is expected to replace the European Union as China's largest trade partner this year, with increasing trade protectionism in the EU hurting bilateral trade, according to a senior Chinese government adviser.

"US trade with China may hit $450 billion in 2013, while EU trade with China will hover around $420 billion," Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce, told China Daily in an interview.

Wei is vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a high-level government think tank.