China’s February exports surge, trade surplus widens

BEIJING (AP) — China’s exports in February surged 44.5 percent over a year earlier while its politically sensitive trade surplus widened amid mounting tension with Washington.

Customs data on Thursday showed export growth accelerated from January’s 11.1 percent rate while import growth cooled to 6.3 percent from the previous month’s 36.9 percent.

The country’s global trade surplus widened to $33.7 billion from January’s $20.3 billion.

Beijing faces mounting pressure from the government of President Donald Trump to narrow its trade surplus. Trump has approved higher tariffs on Chinese-made washing machines and some other goods and is considering other possible penalties.