BEIJING – China’s overseas trade grew faster than expected in September, offering a rare boost for its struggling economy just as fears rise over a fresh escalation in the U.S.-China trade war, official data showed Monday.
According to the General Administration of Customs, exports jumped 8.3% year-on-year, well above a Bloomberg forecast of 6.6%, while imports rose 7.4%, far exceeding expectations of 1.9%.
The latest data signals renewed strength in China’s export-reliant manufacturing sector, which has been under strain amid weak global demand and domestic consumer sluggishness.
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Shipments to the United States — China’s biggest trading partner — climbed 8.6% to $34.3 billion, up from $31.6 billion in August.
Economists say the rebound reflects stronger demand for electronics and machinery, alongside improving logistics and lower shipping costs.
The upbeat trade figures came just as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all Chinese goods starting November 1, rekindling market concerns of a new tariff escalation.
Beijing swiftly pushed back, accusing Washington of “double standards” and economic coercion. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Sunday that such threats “undermine global trade stability and confidence.”
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Trump, however, sought to temper the rhetoric, writing on social media that the U.S. “wants to help China, not hurt it.”
Analysts warn that while China’s trade rebound is encouraging, it may not be sustainable if tariff tensions intensify and Western demand cools further in the coming months.
Still, the September surge provides Beijing with some breathing room, especially as policymakers focus on reviving domestic consumption and stabilizing the yuan. “The trade recovery shows resilience,” one Shanghai-based analyst said. “But the geopolitical storm clouds are far from cleared.”