Most forecasts anticipated that exports in April would grow around 2%, following a 12.4% increase in March.
Chinese imports fell by 0.2% in April compared to the same period the previous year.
China’s trade surplus with the United States, a politically sensitive figure, stood at nearly $20.5 billion (€18 billion) in April.
Exports to the United States constitute only a portion of China’s total exports, and trade with the rest of the world remained resilient.
Preliminary data also indicates that American imports from countries not subject to the 145% tariffs imposed on Chinese products by Washington are rising rapidly.
China’s exports to other countries and regions increased at a robust pace in the first four months of the year.
Exports to Southeast Asian countries grew by 11.5% compared to the same period the previous year. Exports to Latin America also rose by 11.5%. Shipments to India increased by nearly 16% in value, and exports to Africa were up by 15%.
Some of the fastest growth was recorded in Asia, reflecting moves by Chinese manufacturers and others to diversify their supply chains outside mainland China to circumvent U.S. tariffs.
Exports to Vietnam increased by 18% year-on-year, while exports to Thailand rose by 20%.
In the first four months of the year, Chinese exports to the United States decreased by 2.5% year-on-year, while imports from the United States fell by 4.7%.
Figures from early 2025 indicate that tariffs and other measures related to President Donald Trump’s trade war are having an impact.
Measured on a monthly basis, in April, China’s total exports rose by only 0.6% compared to March, while imports increased by almost 4%.
