BEIJING - Despite ongoing global trade conflicts, China's exports grew more than expected in July.

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BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Despite ongoing global trade conflicts, China's exports grew more than expected in July. According to the Chinese Customs Administration, exports rose by 7.2 percent compared to the same month last year. Analysts had previously expected lower growth. Imports also increased more strongly than expected, rising by 4.1 percent.

However, the picture varied depending on the trading partner: Exports to the USA fell by 21.7 percent year-on-year, following a sharp decline already recorded in June. However, Chinese companies were able to offset this slump with rising exports to other regions: Deliveries to the European Union increased by 9.3 percent, and those to the ten Southeast Asian ASEAN countries even increased by 16.6 percent. Exports to Germany increased by 13.1 percent.

No agreement yet between Washington and Beijing

The US and China are currently in talks regarding their long-running trade dispute. Whether there will be an extension of the current tariff pause, which was originally scheduled to end on August 12, remains to be seen. Since April, the US had gradually increased import tariffs on Chinese goods to as much as 145 percent. China responded with counter-tariffs of up to 125 percent and imposed export controls on strategically important raw materials. In May, both sides agreed to a 90-day suspension of the new tariffs.

The US government's announcement that it will impose so-called secondary sanctions against countries that continue to trade with Russia is causing additional tensions.

US President Trump has already announced additional punitive tariffs of 25 percent on imports from India. Although China maintains even closer economic ties with Russia than India, it could be spared for the time being – partly because comprehensive tariff talks with Beijing are ongoing in parallel. New punitive measures would be seen as a deliberate provocation and strain the negotiations.