China's exports jumped 12.4% in March from a year earlier in a last minute flurry of activity as companies rushed to beat President Donald Trump's hefty increases in U.S. tariffs.

Exports rose 12.4% year-on-year, a five-month high, handily beating 4.4% growth expected in a Reuters poll of economists.

China’s export growth in March was stronger than expected, with shipments likely front-loaded before expected U.S. tariffs.

Trump announced a 90-day pause on a host of global tariffs he had planned, but increased levies on Chinese imports to 145%. "We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of 'reciprocal tariffs' and return to the right path of mutual respect,