China says exports up nearly 28% in May, imports jump 51% on rebound in demand in US, other markets from the pandemic

BEIJING (AP) — China says its exports surged nearly 28% in May while imports jumped 51% as demand recovered in the U.S. and other markets where the pandemic is waning. Customs data released Monday showed total exports climbed 40% in the first five months of the year from a year earlier and were up 29% from the same period in 2019. But growth is leveling off after a stunning recovery from last year’s slump. The $263.9 billion in exports in May was about level with the previous month. The $218.4 billion in imports were 1.2% lower than in April. China’s trade surplus in May was $45.53 billion, down 26.5% from a year earlier.