finance
China April Exports Rise 14.1%, Trade Surplus Hits Record $84.8 Billion
Chinese customs data released Saturday showed exports growing far faster than expected in April while imports also beat forecasts, pushing the trade surplus sharply higher from March. The figures come as new export orders reached their highest level in two years and GDP growth for Q1 2026 hit the top of the government's full-year target range. U.S.
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U.S. 9 percent rise, according to Chinese customs data released on Saturday. 2 percent forecast by economists.
13 billion in March. Cnbc reported that the stronger trade figures reflect factories racing to meet overseas orders as buyers stockpiled components. New export orders rose to their highest level in two years, according to separate factory activity data for April published last month.
China's GDP growth hit 5 percent year-on-year in Q1 2026, landing at the top of the government's full-year target range. The solid first-quarter momentum has lessened the need for immediate stimulus measures. Even so, domestic consumption remains a concern.
Retail sales continued to underperform industrial output in April, the factory data showed. Unemployment rates edged higher during the month as well. Input prices remained elevated in April, particularly for refined goods and petroleum, coal and chemicals.
Cnbc reported that economists warn longer-running conflict in the Middle East and rising energy prices could eventually dampen external demand, leaving sluggish domestic consumption unable to fill the gap. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit China next week.
He is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in a trip that could yield gains on farm trade and airplane parts. The meeting is unlikely to soften deep strategic rifts, especially over Taiwan. China's export performance has so far weathered fallout from the Middle East conflict, buoyed by overseas buyers scrambling to secure supplies.
