ZCZC
BCN-03
CHINA-ECONOMY-TRADE
China’s global trade surplus falls, but grows with US
BEIJING, Jan 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Chinese exports and imports picked up
steam last year thanks to strong global demand, data showed Friday, but its
surplus with the United States, a sensitive issue with Donald Trump, widened.
Exports expanded 7.9 percent while imports soared 15.9 percent for the
year, according to the General Administration of Customs.
But even as China’s trade surplus with the world fell 17 percent, shipments
to the US grew 11.5 percent, causing the trade surplus to increase 10 percent
to $275.8 billion.
China’s surplus with the US is a hot-button issue with the Trump
administration, which added new import tariffs to a number of Chinese goods
last year.
“China’s foreign trade continued to build on a solid foundation for steady
growth, its potential being gradually unleashed,” said customs spokesman
Huang Songping.
“As the global economy continues to recover and the Chinese economy turns
to steady and sound growth, China’s foreign trade outlook in 2018 is upbeat.”
BSS/AFP/MR/1033 hrs