China’s April exports jump 8.1% to beat estimates despite U.S. tariffs

China’s exports saw a significant surge in April despite a sharp decline in shipments to the U.S. due to the impact of recent tariffs. Imports also showed improvement as Beijing implemented stimulus measures.

According to data released by the customs authority, exports increased by 8.1% in U.S. dollar terms compared to the previous year, surpassing expectations. Meanwhile, imports decreased by 0.2%, a smaller drop than forecasted.

Shipments to the U.S. from China dropped by over 21% in April, while imports from the U.S. declined by nearly 14%, as per official data.

Experts believe that the overall increase in exports could be attributed to transshipment through third countries and pre-tariff contracts. However, they anticipate a gradual weakening of trade data in the coming months.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports have led to retaliatory tariffs from China, impacting trade between the two countries. Both sides have granted exemptions on certain products to mitigate the economic impact of the tariffs.

The Chinese government is assisting exporters in redirecting sales to the domestic market, which could potentially lead to deeper deflation in the economy.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.