China’s overseas shipments accelerated in July as exporters raced to beat the looming expiration of a tariff truce with the United States. Customs data released on Thursday show exports rising 7.2% from a year earlier in dollar terms, comfortably above the 5.6% consensus forecast and June’s 5.8% gain. Imports climbed 4.1%—the strongest increase in 12 months and a sharp turnaround from the 1.1% growth recorded in June—leaving the monthly trade surplus at $98.24 billion, down from $104.70 billion in June. The composition of trade underscored shifting market dynamics. Shipments to the United States fell 21.67% year-on-year, while exports to the 10-nation ASEAN bloc jumped 16.59%, suggesting that some Chinese producers may be redirecting goods through Southeast Asia. In yuan terms, the trade surplus narrowed to 705.1 billion yuan from 830 billion yuan the previous month. Economists attributed the stronger-than-expected headline figures to front-loading of orders ahead of 12 August, when the 90-day pause on new U.S. levies is due to expire. Washington has threatened duties of up to 40% on goods rerouted through third countries, alongside additional tariffs on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and products from nations that buy Russian oil. While July’s performance suggests external demand remains resilient for now, analysts expect shipment growth to moderate later in the year as higher U.S. tariffs and weaker global demand take hold. Beijing has pledged to prioritise domestic consumption in its forthcoming five-year plan and is weighing measures to arrest deflationary pressures and stabilise employment.