China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies amid fears that the conflict involving Iran could drive up global energy and transport costs.
Official customs data released on Saturday showed exports rose by 14.1 per cent year on year in dollar terms, accelerating sharply from growth of 2.5 per cent in March.
Imports remained strong, climbing 25.3 per cent in April, pointing to resilient domestic demand for raw materials and components. As a result, China’s trade surplus widened to 84.8 billion dollars, up from 51.1 billion dollars the previous month.
Economists said the figures suggest exporters benefited from a wave of front‑loaded overseas orders, as companies sought to stockpile goods and parts ahead of potential cost increases linked to instability in the Middle East.
Recent factory surveys showed new export orders reached their highest level in two years, highlighting the strength of demand in recent months. However, analysts cautioned that this momentum may not last.
Despite gross domestic product growth of 5 per cent in the first quarter, prolonged geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices could weaken global demand later in the year, adding pressure to China’s already subdued consumer spending.
Attention is also turning to diplomacy, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to visit China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping.
The discussions are likely to centre on trade relations, as well as cooperation in agriculture and the aviation sector, at a time when global supply chains remain sensitive to political and economic shocks.
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It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
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It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
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The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
European carmakers have urged the European Union to make sure new “Made in EU” rules do not put existing investments in Türkiye and Morocco at risk.
Microsoft is expected to announce a new round of job cuts as early as next week as the technology giant looks to reduce costs, according to reports.
A Swedish court has ordered Alphabet-owned Google to pay about $1.5 billion in antitrust damages to price comparison platform PriceRunner, in one of Europe's largest competition-related awards against a major technology company.
U.S. President Donald Trump earned more than $1bn from cryptocurrency-related business ventures last year, according to his mandatory 2025 financial disclosure.
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