China’s trade surplus soared to US$45.06 billion in July 2019 from US$27.49 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports increased unexpectedly, while imports fell less than estimated. Year-on-year, exports rose unexpectedly by 3.3% to US$221.5 billion in July, recovering from a 1.3% drop in the previous period. Imports declined by 5.6% to US$176.4 billion, after a 7.3% fall in the previous month. During January to July 2019, China’s trade surplus surged to US$226.1 billion from US$162.76 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.