China sees export growth in March as trade war tensions with the US escalate. China’s exports rose sharply by 12.4% in March compared to the same month last year. Officials said companies hurried to ship goods before the US enforced higher tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policy. Meanwhile, imports dropped by 4.3%, according to data from China’s customs administration.
Quarterly Trade Figures Show Mixed Trends
Between January and March, exports increased by 5.8%, but imports fell by 7%. During this period, China recorded a trade surplus of $76.6 billion with the United States, including $27.6 billion in March alone.
US Tariffs Put Pressure on Chinese Goods
China now faces 145% tariffs on most goods shipped to the US after Trump’s latest trade revisions. Despite this, trade with the US hasn’t slowed entirely, though many companies rushed exports to avoid the worst tariff impacts.
While US-bound shipments slowed, China’s trade with Southeast Asia and Africa grew. In March, exports to Southeast Asian countries jumped nearly 17%, and exports to Africa rose more than 11%.
Xi Jinping Strengthens Regional Ties
President Xi Jinping started a regional trip on Monday, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Although the tour had been scheduled earlier, it now carries more weight due to ongoing trade tensions with the US. Xi’s visit aims to reinforce trade partnerships with countries that may also face high US tariffs.
Trade With Vietnam Increases
Exports to Vietnam alone rose nearly 17% last month, while imports from Vietnam declined by 2.7%. This shift highlights the growing role of regional trade for China amid global uncertainty.
China Stays Confident Amid Challenges
Lyu Daliang, a spokesperson for China’s customs department, acknowledged the “complex and severe external situation.” However, he said, “the sky would not fall.” He pointed to China’s large domestic market and varied trade relationships as key strengths.
When asked about the drop in imports, Lyu emphasized that China has been the second-largest importer in the world for 16 years. He said China’s share of global imports rose from 8% to 10.5% during that time.
“At present and in the future, China’s import growth space is huge, and the large Chinese market is always a great opportunity for the world,” he said.
