CX Briefing: Export Growth Defies U.S. Tariffs

A rundown of the news making headlines in and around China:

Defiant export growth: China’s goods exports in dollar terms rose 8.1% year-on-year in April, customs data show, despite the Trump administration’s sweeping import tariffs on Chinese goods taking effect on April 9. Shipments to the U.S., however, fell by around 21%, according to General Administration of Customs data released Friday. Export growth accelerated to re-export destinations such as Southeast Asia, while slowing to the EU. Imports fell 0.2% in April, producing a trade surplus of $96.2 billion for the month. April’s trade performance beat market expectations, with foreign and local economists predicting an average of 2.5% growth in exports and a 5.6% decline in imports.