Chinese imports increased significantly in March to US$269.9 billion, while exports rose only 2.5% year on year. The trends were largely influenced by rising transport and energy costs due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

China’s export growth softened and imports rose considerably in March, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drove up transport costs and energy prices. Exports rose 2.5 per cent year on year to US$321.03 billion in March, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs on Tuesday. The reading fell short of the 4 per cent growth forecast by economists polled by the financial data provider Wind. Imports grew by 27.8 per cent to US$269.9 billion over the same period,...