China's April Exports Jump 14.1% as Imports Rise 25.3%, Pushing Surplus to $84.8 Billion

Overview

• Official customs data show exports reached $359.4 billion in April, marking a sixth straight year-over-year gain and a sharp pickup from March’s 2.5% growth.
• Imports rose to $274.6 billion, up 25.3% from a year earlier, which lines up with Beijing’s push to expand purchases from abroad to bolster domestic demand.
• The monthly trade balance registered an $84.8 billion surplus as export growth outpaced the strong rise in imports.
• Trade with the United States strengthened, with exports to the U.S. up 11.3% year over year after a steep drop the prior month, and U.S. goods entering China up 9.0%.
• China ended 2025 with an annual trade surplus above $1 trillion, a backdrop that keeps trade frictions in focus and makes monthly swings sensitive to base effects.