China exports jump 14.1% as AI boom outpaces war disruptions in World Economy News 11/05/2026 Chinese outbound shipments staged a stronger-than-anticipated recovery in April, as the global investment boom in artificial intelligence helped the trade sector navigate significant shipping disruptions caused by the war in Iran. According to a report from Bloomberg citing data from the General Administration of Customs released on Saturday, exports climbed 14.1% from a year earlier, a figure that nearly doubled the 8.4% median forecast of economists. The latest rebound follows a sharp slowdown during the initial month of the conflict, which saw trade routes throughout the Middle East face unprecedented upheaval. The data reveals that imports rose even faster than exports, jumping 25.3% to result in a trade surplus of $84.82 billion. The “AI wave” was the primary driver behind the surge in imports, with Chinese firms ramping up purchases of high-end chips and power equipment required for data centers. Consequently, economists have sharply upgraded their forecasts, now expecting import growth to overtake export expansion for the first time since 2021. Chinese factories have shown their resilience in the latest manufacturing gauges. A sub-index of new export orders expanded in April for the first time in two years, while a private gauge of activity at export-oriented firms reached its highest level since December 2020. However, the conflict has forced the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway. Authorities warned that a protracted conflict could leave China vulnerable to mounting cost pressures and stagnant domestic spending. China’s trade imbalances are expected to be a primary focus during next week’s planned summit in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting follows data showing that the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China widened in March for a third consecutive month. While export prices