CHINA ECONOMY
China’s exports surge as shipments to Southeast Asian countries offset plunge in U.S. trade

PUBLISHED THU, MAY 8 2025 11:16 PM EDT
UPDATED FRI, MAY 9 2025 2:38 AM EDT
Anniek Bao
@ANNIEKBYX
@IN/ANNIEK-BAO-460A48107/

KEY POINTS
• Exports jumped 8.1% last month in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, according to data released by China's customs authority on Friday, sharply beating Reuters' poll estimates of a 1.9% rise.
• China's outbound shipments to the U.S. plunged over 21% in April year on year, while imports dropped nearly 14%, official data showed.


A China Shipping cargo container sits stacked at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California on April 10, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images

China's exports surged in April on the back of a jump in shipments to Southeast Asian countries, offsetting a sharp drop in outbound goods to the U.S. as prohibitive tariffs kicked in.

Exports jumped 8.1% last month in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, according to data released by customs authority on Friday, sharply beating Reuters' poll estimates of a 1.9% rise.

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