Fri May 09 07:47:38 UTC 2025: **China’s Exports Surge Despite US Trade Slump**
**Geneva, Switzerland – May 9, 2025** – China’s April exports exceeded expectations, rising 8.1% year-on-year, although exports to the United States plummeted by over 20%. This significant increase surpasses economists’ predictions of a mere 2% growth, following a 12.4% surge in March. The news comes a day before crucial trade talks between high-level US and Chinese officials in Geneva.
While overall exports performed strongly, fueled by increased trade with Southeast Asia, Latin America, India, and Africa, the decline in US-bound exports remains a significant concern. This drop is partially attributed to the ongoing trade war initiated by former US President Donald Trump, which imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods. China retaliated with its own tariffs.
Analysts suggest that while some tariff rollbacks are possible, a complete reversal is unlikely. This, coupled with the broader geopolitical tensions between the two nations, casts doubt on the success of the upcoming Geneva talks. Capital Economics’ Zichun Huang predicts further declines in Chinese exports to the US in the coming months.
Despite the US trade slump, China’s exports to other regions showed robust growth. Southeast Asian nations saw an 11.5% increase, while Latin America experienced similar growth. Remarkably, exports to India jumped nearly 16%, and those to Africa surged 15%. This growth reflects a global trend of diversifying supply chains away from mainland China, with Vietnam and Thailand witnessing export increases of 18% and 20% respectively.
The substantial trade surplus with the US, while still significant at nearly $20.5 billion in April, is down from $27.2 billion a year earlier. Preliminary data also indicates a rise in US imports from countries not subject to the Trump-era tariffs. The ongoing trade tensions and their impact on global trade remain a key focus as the US and China prepare for their critical talks.
First Piper 