China’s exports rose 36.3% in September from a year earlier, beating economists’ expectations of 25.5% growth, according to customs figures reported by the AP. Growth accelerated from 25% in August, marking the fastest pace since February.
Imports climbed 31%, up from 28.2% in August. The monthly trade surplus widened to $133.5 billion from $119.1 billion. China’s surplus with the US reached $34.01 billion, a 20-month high, Reuters reported. The surplus for January through September totaled $938.1 billion, putting it within reach of last year’s full-year record of $1.2 trillion.
US container imports from China rose 21.2% year over year to 924,454 TEU in September, according to Descartes data. China accounted for 36.3% of all US container imports, up from 34% in August. Total US container imports reached about 2.55 million TEU, a record for September.
China’s semiconductor exports rose 108.1% in value during the first nine months of the year, while exports of computer equipment and parts increased 54.6%. Auto exports grew 54.3%.
Vice customs minister Wang Jun warned that external uncertainties could weigh on trade in the fourth quarter. Max Zenglein, Asia Pacific senior economist at The Conference Board, said a slowdown in global AI investment could pose a greater threat to China’s export growth than trade restrictions.
