China’s exports growth in December sharply beat expectations, catapulting the annual trade surplus to a record high, even as imports rose at their fastest pace in three months.
Exports surged 6.6% in U.S. dollar terms last month from a year earlier, Chinese customs data showed Wednesday, topping analysts’ median estimate for a 3% growth and accelerating from a 5.9% jump in November.
Imports rose 5.7% in December from a year earlier, topping expectations for a 0.9% growth — strongest since September last year when they rose 7.4%, according to LSEG data.
China’s exports for the full year grew 5.5% compared to 2024 while imports stayed flat, taking Beijing’s trade surplus to $1.19 trillion.
Trade tensions with the U.S. have led to double-digit declines in Chinese shipment to the country for most part of last year.
