China's June trade tops forecasts buoyed by AI boom

Gantry cranes stand near stacked shipping containers at Yangshan Port outside Shanghai, China, May 7, 2026. (File photo: REUTERS/Go Nakamura) 14 Jul 2026 11:22AM BEIJING: China's export growth topped forecasts in June as strong demand for semiconductors and a rush by manufacturers to ship goods to the US ahead of potential new tariffs countered broader concerns about the Iran war and weakening global demand.The stronger-than-expected trade performance suggests Chinese manufacturers continued to sustain sales despite slowing growth in major economies and uncertainty over trade relations with Washington. Strong demand for AI-related technology products, front-loading of US-bound shipments and aggressive pricing by Chinese exporters helped support overseas sales.Exports climbed 27 per cent fr