China’s overseas shipments accelerated in July, with exports rising 7.2% from a year earlier in U.S.-dollar terms, customs data showed on Thursday. The increase, the fastest since April, comfortably beat the 5.6% median estimate of economists. Imports jumped 4.1%, the largest gain in a year and well above expectations for a decline, indicating renewed restocking by manufacturers. The stronger two-way trade cut the monthly surplus to US$98.24 billion from June’s US$104.70 billion. Underneath the headline figures, the geographic mix shifted: sales to the United States fell 21.67%, while shipments to the 10-nation ASEAN bloc climbed 16.59%, highlighting efforts to reroute goods amid elevated U.S. tariffs. For the first seven months of 2025, total goods trade expanded 3.5% to CNY25.7 trillion (about US$3.6 trillion). ASEAN remained China’s largest partner, accounting for 16.7% of turnover, ahead of the European Union; trade with the United States contracted 11.1% in the period. Economists attribute part of July’s outperformance to exporters bringing forward orders before a fragile tariff truce with Washington lapses on Aug. 12. The White House has threatened duties that could exceed 100% on Chinese goods shipped directly or via third countries. Analysts expect export momentum to moderate later in the year as global demand softens and domestic property weakness curbs import growth.