China's trade surplus soars, as exports unexpectedly edge up

A worker looks at steel piled up at a steel wholesale market in Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning province Thursday March 1, 2007. (AP Photo)

BEIJING -- Chinese exports edged up in May, surprising markets, but analysts say the rebound is likely to be short-lived given higher U.S. tariffs and slowing global growth.

China's monthly trade surplus jumped 78% to $41.7 billion, as exports rose 1.1% to $213.8 billion and imports fell 8.5% to $172.2 billion, the Chinese customs agency said Monday.

The fall in imports reflects weak domestic demand, analysts said. The rise in exports came despite a worsening trade war with the United States in which both countries have raised tariffs on each other's products.

"While exports rose in May, weaker global demand and the escalating trade war suggest that they will start to fall again before long," Capital Economics said in an analysis.

Citi Research, a division of Citigroup Global Markets, likewise said that improved export growth will likely be transitory.

China's trade surplus with the United States rose to $26.9 billion, driven by a month-to-month increase in exports to $37.7 billion. Imports from the U.S. were up slightly from April at $10.8 billion.