By Gokhan Ergocun
ISTANBUL (AA) - China's exports and imports rose above expectations in September amid deepening tariff issues and other economic disputes with the US.
According to data from China's General Administration of Customs, exports in September increased by 8.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching $328.8 billion, after increasing 4.4% in August.
During this period, the country's imports increased by 7.4% year-on-year to $238.1 billion, reaching their highest level in the last 17 months. Imports had increased by 1.3% in August.
Market expectations for China's exports were at 6% and 1.5% for imports.
The country's foreign trade surplus in September stood at $90.5 billion.
China's exports to the US, where tariff issues and economic disputes continue, fell by 27% in September, continuing the rapid decline seen in recent months.
China's exports to the US also fell by 21.7% in July and 33.1% in August.
In contrast, during the same period, China's exports to EU countries increased by 14.2%, to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries by 15.6%, to African countries by 56.4%, and to Latin American countries by 15.2%.