China Hits Record $540B in Exports Amid Tariff Surge:

Exports from China have reached a new record high this year due to increased tariffs from the US and the possibility US may impose more. The General Administration of Customs stores stated that the value of sales abroad for China rose by 2.3% in the first two months of the year (compared to January and February last year) to a staggering $540 billion. This was helped by Imports declining by 8.4%, resulting in a trade surplus of $170.5 billion.

Bloomberg economists had estimated an increase of 5.9% for exports and 1% increase for imports, reflecting ¥ $\$ \$ 540 billion \times 5.9 \) dollars). Trump's tariff policy on Chinese goods has had immense impacts, and during February the US imposed a 10% tax/levy on almost all goods imported from China. This amount was raised to 20% later that week.

Despite the US directly only taking in 15% of Chinese exports, a large portion is sent through Mexico, Vietnam and other countries. One of the biggest concerns for China is being highly exposed to the risk of a global trade war.

If the US persists in increasing tariffs, it will profoundly reduce some of the factors aiding economic growth in China. The US’s tariffs on China’s exports are high at the moment and for the remainder of the year, their level will slow down the rate at which Chinese exports are growing.