Skip to content

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

China’s exports posts stellar performance in January despite trade conflict

The 9.1% year-on-year increase in January surprised analysts, who were expecting a 3.3% decline.

China flag Source: Bloomberg
United States China Export United States dollar Tariff Balance of trade

China’s exports boomed a robust 9.1% year-on-year increase in January, overshooting expectations from economists who were expecting a 3.3% decline for the month, data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed on Thursday.

The rise for last month was a reverse from December’s decline of 4.4%, offering some comfort to investors and businesses who are watching the developments on the United States (US)-China trade war on the edge of their seats.

Seasonal factors could have impacted the bumper results in January as exporters tend to load their shipments ahead of the annual Lunar New Year festive period, which falls on different calendar dates every year. The Lunar New Year started earlier this year compared to last year.

Imports were also better-than-expected, falling 1.5% from a year earlier compared to analysts’ forecast of a 10.2% fall as well as December’s 7.6% decline.

China’s overall trade surplus was at US$39.2 billion in January, easily beating the US$33.5 billion expected. But the figure was lower than December’s trade surplus of US$57.1 billion.

China’s trade surplus with the US fell to US$27.3 billion in January, from US$29.9 billion in December. The country’s exports to the US fell 2.4% on a year-on-year basis for January, while imports sank by 41.2%.

Trade deal deadline may face extension

US officials are in Beijing, China on Thursday and Friday to draw out a trade deal ahead of the March 1st deadline when US tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports are scheduled to increase to 25% from 10%.

On Thursday, US president Donald Trump was said to be considering extending the deadline for higher tariffs on Chinese imports by 60 days to give more time for the negotiations between the US and China to continue.

According to Mr Trump, the talks are going ‘very well’.

China’s total trade for last year reached US$4.62 trillion, a 12.6% increase from 2017. Exports rose by 9.9% on a year-on-year basis, while imports climbed 15.8%.


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

Start trading forex today

Trade the largest and most volatile financial market in the world.

  • Spreads start at just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
  • Analyse market movements with our essential selection of charts
  • Speculate from a range of platforms, including on mobile

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.