Trade deficit quadruples

China's trade deficit grew to US$2.26 billion in April, up from US$540 million in March, according to data released by China's Ministry of Commerce. China had a US$1 billion surplus in April 2003. China's total trade deficit for the first four months of 2004 reached US$10.76 billion, compared with a US$93 million surplus during the same period in 2003. During the first four months of 2004 exports rose 33.5% to US$162.7 billion while imports grew by 42.4% to US$173.5 billion.