China’s exports are forecast to have risen 18.2% year-on-year in dollar terms, down from 19.4% in May, reports Reuters citing a poll of 20 economists. This comes as companies accelerated shipments to the US ahead of possible new tariffs, rode the AI boom, and competed aggressively on prices to win over cost-conscious consumers.
Global AI investment is providing a critical buffer for China’s $20 trillion economy, helping manufacturers withstand mounting pressures from Middle East conflict-related disruptions and a prolonged property downturn.
Imports are expected to have risen 24% year-on-year, slowing from 27.4%, with South Korea’s export figures—a proxy for Chinese imports—suggesting demand was driven by purchases of semiconductors and other components for technology products rather than a wider recovery in domestic demand.