China's Exports and Trade Surplus Soared In March, Stock Indexes Extended Recent Gains

Li Chen
14 Apr, 2025
Hong Kong

Stocks advanced in Monday's trading in China and Hong Kong as investors reviewed the latest iteration of U.S. tariffs and domestic economic data. 

The Hang Seng index soared more than 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index edged up 0.4% after the U.S. removed certain electronic items from its list of country-specific tariffs. 

The Hang Seng index advanced for the fifth consecutive session in the hopes that the world's two largest economies may avoid deepening a trade war, which could plunge the U.S. economy into a recession and create widespread job losses in China. 

 

China's Exports and Trade Surplus Soared in March. 

China's exports soared in March as importers and retailers loaded up goods ahead of additional tariffs, but imports declined. 

China's exports soared 12.4% to $313.9 billion, and imports sank by 4.3% in March to $211.3 billion, the General Administration of Customs reported on Monday. 

Trade surplus in March soared to $102.6 billion from $58.7 billion in the same month a year ago, as factories rushed to ship ahead of the looming U.S. tariffs.

The trade landscape remains uncertain, driven by the U.S. tariff confusion, and exports to the U.S. advanced 9.1% compared to a 2.3% increase in the first two months to February. 

China's indirect exports to the U.S. through the ASEAN bloc surged 11.5%, to Vietnam advanced by 18.9%, and to Thailand soared by 27.8%. 

Export of electric vehicles increased 15.9% to 598,000 units, and advanced 1.7% from a year ago to $9.6 billion.  

 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index jumped 2.3% to 21,406.55, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index increased 0.4% to 21,406.55. 

Alibaba Group Holding increased 5.5% to HK $108.70, Tencent Holdings Ltd. advanced 3.5% to HK $456.80, and Baidu Inc. rose 5.4% to HK $83.15.

Smartphone and electric vehicle makers were in focus after the Trump administration paused tariffs on smartphones, laptops, and memory chips.

BYD rose 4% to HK 377.80, Li Auto advanced 3.3% to HK 93.10, and Xpeng Inc jumped 6.6% to $81.0.