Statistics are ahead of negotiations between Washington and Beijing aimed at de-escalation of tensions
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China and the US will start trade negotiations on Saturday.
Image: Chinatopix/AP
Chinese exports recorded strong growth in April, contrary to projections that the trade war with the US would begin to bite. Exports increased by 8.1% in dollar terms from a year earlier, statistics presented by China's customs administration on Friday revealed.
This was more than analysts had expected, a paltry 1.9% growth, the lowest rate in almost a year. While this was lower than the growth recorded in March at 12.4%, it is still an indication of immense resilience in the face of adversity in trade.
Imports, on the other hand, fell by 0.2%, the third consecutive month of decline.
These figures are released as tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to mount. US President Donald Trump last month increased tariffs on most imports from China to up to 145%, and threatened to place additional tariffs on small-value shipments from China. In response, Beijing imposed tariffs of up to 125%.
Trade talks are to be held in Geneva on Saturday. The US is represented by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while China is represented by Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who is the country's top economic official.
It will be the second high-level meeting between the two nations following January, when Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng attended Trump's inauguration. Bessent has said that the trade war "isn't sustainable."