Chinese Export Growth Slows Sharply as Trade Surplus Shrinks

Shipments to the United States continue to decline amid tariff fallout and the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Shipping containers at the port in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, on Aug. 12, 2025. STR/AFP via Getty Images

China’s export growth slowed to its lowest level in five months as market watchers monitor the global economic fallout from the war in Iran that began seven weeks ago.

Exports rose 2.5 percent year over year to $321.03 billion, customs data released on April 14 showed. This is sharply down from the February spike of almost 40 percent.