China exports jumped as shippers raced to beat Trump tariffs

STORY: Chinese trade felt the effects of Donald Trump’s tariffs, even before the levies kicked in. Figures out Monday (April 14) show exports surged over 12% on the year in March. That was around three times the increase forecast by analysts. The numbers suggest factories were rushing out shipments before the tariffs took effect. However, the numbers could now plunge, with China facing levies of up to 145% on most shipments to the U.S. One economist told Reuters that it could be years before the export numbers return to the level seen in March. Monday’s figures also pointed to weak domestic demand in China, with imports falling 4.3% - or more than double the decline that was forecast.That means policymakers could struggle to make up for any downturn sparked by a drop in exports. Economists at Goldman Sachs and Citi have already cut their growth forecasts for China as a result of the trade tensions.One market expert said a plunge in soybean imports - much of which come from the U.S. - suggested state firms in China were already shunning American produce. Overall, Beijing’s trade surplus with the U.S. rose to almost $77 billion during the first quarter. That’s likely to keep the country in Trump’s sights, given that closing the gap is at the top of his agenda.With China vowing to fight U.S. tariffs to the end, Monday’s figures don’t bode well for any easing in tensions.

STORY: Chinese trade felt the effects of Donald Trump’s tariffs, even before the levies kicked in. Figures out Monday (April 14) show exports surged over 12% on the year in March. That was around three times the increase forecast by analysts.

The numbers suggest factories were rushing out shipments before the tariffs took effect. However, the numbers could now plunge, with China facing levies of up to 145% on most shipments to the U.S.

One economist told Reuters that it could be years before the export numbers return to the level seen in March. Monday’s figures also pointed to weak domestic demand in China, with imports falling 4.3% - or more than double the decline that was forecast.

That means policymakers could struggle to make up for any downturn sparked by a drop in exports. Economists at Goldman Sachs and Citi have already cut their growth forecasts for China as a result of the trade tensions.One market expert said a plunge in soybean imports - much of which come from the U.

S. - suggested state firms in China were already shunning American produce. Overall, Beijing’s trade surplus with the U.

S. rose to almost $77 billion during the first quarter. That’s likely to keep the country in Trump’s sights, given that closing the gap is at the top of his agenda.

With China vowing to fight U.S. tariffs to the end, Monday’s figures don’t bode well for any easing in tensions.

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