Trade surplus hits $26bn in November

China's trade surplus totaled US$26.28 billion in November, a 50% increase from the same period a year ago, bringing 2007's total to US$238.9 billion, AP reported. Beijing has said it is not actively pursuing massive surpluses, citing export taxes on commodities such as steel and plastics. Despite the vast surplus, however, the country's imports were up 25.3% in November to US$91.34 billion, rising faster than exports, which only grew by 22.8%. China's 2007 trade surplus with the US is expected to surpass last year's US$233 billion total.