China’s overseas sales regained momentum in June, with exports rising 5.8% from a year earlier to US$325 billion, customs data showed on Monday. The gain exceeded economists’ expectations and improved on May’s 4.8% pace. Imports edged up 1.1%, ending a four-month slide, leaving the monthly trade surplus at 830 billion yuan (about US$115 billion). The stronger headline figures were driven in part by companies rushing to ship goods before a 12 August deadline that could see U.S. tariffs snap back to triple-digit levels. Washington and Beijing agreed in June to cut duties temporarily, giving exporters a narrow window to lock in orders. Analysts at Capital Economics cautioned that the front-loading may fade if the two sides fail to convert the truce into a lasting agreement. Trade patterns underline the tariff effect. Shipments to the United States fell 16.1% on the year—an improvement on May’s 34% drop—while exports to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations jumped 16.8%. For the January-June period, exports grew 7.2% in yuan terms, and the surplus reached a record US$586 billion despite a 9.9% slide in sales to the U.S. Customs officials said the first-half performance reflects the resilience of foreign-funded firms and continued diversification toward emerging markets, but warned that global protectionism and policy uncertainty remain significant headwinds for the second half of 2025.