China exports surge 14.1%, beating expectations

China's exports jumped 14.1% year-on-year in April, beating analysts' expectations and marking a significant rebound from March's 2.5% growth, government data showed Saturday. Imports also climbed 25.3% in the same period. The strong trade figures were released just days ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where trade tensions are expected to feature prominently on the agenda. The export surge occurred despite ongoing challenges including the Iran war and lingering effects from higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. The 14.1% export growth substantially exceeded analyst forecasts, representing a notable acceleration from the previous month's modest expansion. Import growth, while slower than March's 27.8% increase, remained robust at 25.3%, with strong demand for artificial intelligence-related goods helping to fuel the increase. The data suggests China's external trade sector continues to perform well even as domestic demand remains sluggish in the world's second-largest economy. The upcoming Trump-Xi summit will take place amid a complex bilateral relationship marked by multiple sources of friction. According to the report, efforts related to ending the Iran conflict have eclipsed the usual trade-related tensions between the two powers, adding another layer of complexity to the diplomatic engagement.