Overview
- China’s customs data show exports rose 19.4% year‑on‑year in May while imports climbed 27.4%, marking a clear acceleration from April.
- The increase was driven by vehicle and technology shipments, with BYD reporting more than 160,000 car exports in May, an 82% year‑on‑year rise.
- Chinese shipments to the United States rebounded strongly, rising about 35% in May compared with the prior month, reversing several months of weaker flows.
- Germany posted only a modest export gain of 0.9% month‑on‑month for April and a €14.5 billion trade surplus, while higher energy costs linked to the Iran conflict are weighing on its broader recovery.
- The shift highlights how green technology and AI demand are reshaping global supply chains and could boost China’s manufacturing momentum while raising costs and competitive pressure for European exporters.