BEIJING, (MILLAT/APP/AFP) – China’s exports
soared a forecast-beating 7.9 percent in January, official data showed Friday, a positive sign for the world’s second largest economy and top trading power.
The strong figures come as the country tries to position itself as a leader of the global trade regime in anticipation of a US retreat under a protectionist Trump administration.
Exports rose to $182.8 billion in January, Customs said, beating the 3.2
percent forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists and a reversal from December’s 6.1 percent plunge.
Imports also exceeded expectations, rising 16.7 percent year-on-year to $131.4 billion, while the trade surplus climbed to $51.3 billion, beating estimates by more than $2 billion.