China's January-February exports, imports weaker than expected

BEIJING, March 7 (Reuters) - China's exports in the January-February period increased just 2.3% year-on-year by value, while imports unexpectedly contracted 8.4%, customs data showed on Friday.

A Reuters poll of economists had forecast a 5% expansion in exports and a 1% increase in imports. Those compared with exports growth of 10.7% and imports growth of 1.0% in December 2024.

China's outbound shipments lost momentum after nine consecutive months of expansion, as tit-for-tat tariffs escalated into a renewed trade war with the U.S.

The sluggish trade figures threaten to hamper China's economic recovery just days after the government announced a growth target of roughly 5% for 2025.