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China's October Exports and Imports Jump 35% and 42%

China’s trade data for October showed a sharp rise in both exports and imports, with goods exports up 35.2% year‑over‑year and imports climbing 41.6%. The figures surpassed analysts’ expectations of a 33.5% export increase and a 32% import rise, according to customs data. The country’s trade surplus fell to $105.3 billion, the lowest level since April, and the year‑to‑date surplus stands at $1.04 trillion, below the record $1.2 trillion for 2025. The export surge is largely driven by strong demand for chips and other artificial‑intelligence‑related hardware, while a slowdown in global AI deployment could threaten future momentum. Factory activity, as measured by the PMI, unexpectedly contracted in October, reflecting cooling overseas orders. Beijing’s policy stance remains supportive, with moderate measures aimed at meeting the 4.5%‑5% growth target. Trade negotiations continue, including a two‑month extension of a trade truce and new EU limits on Chinese hybrid vehicle imports. The data underscore the ongoing imbalance between China’s export strength and domestic consumption softness.

· CNBC

The essential points

  1. 01Exports rose 35.2% in October, beating the 33.5% forecast
  2. 02Imports surged 41.6% year‑over‑year, outpacing the 32% estimate
  3. 03Trade surplus dropped to $105.3 billion, the lowest since April
  4. 04Factory activity contracted unexpectedly, signaling cooling overseas demand
The full brief

China’s trade data for October showed a sharp rise in both exports and imports, with goods exports up 35. 2% year‑over‑year and imports climbing 41. 6%. The figures surpassed analysts’ expectations of a 33. 5% export increase and a 32% import rise, according to customs data.

The country’s trade surplus fell to $105. 3 billion, the lowest level since April, and the year‑to‑date surplus stands at $1. 04 trillion, below the record $1. 2 trillion for 2025. The export surge is largely driven by strong demand for chips and other artificial‑intelligence‑related hardware, while a slowdown in global AI deployment could threaten future momentum.

Factory activity, as measured by the PMI, unexpectedly contracted in October, reflecting cooling overseas orders. Beijing’s policy stance remains supportive, with moderate measures aimed at meeting the 4. 5%‑5% growth target. Trade negotiations continue, including a two‑month extension of a trade truce and new EU limits on Chinese hybrid vehicle imports. The data underscore the ongoing imbalance between China’s export strength and domestic consumption softness.