China's exports surged 14.1% year-over-year in April, marking the strongest export month of 2026 and surpassing economist expectations. This rebound follows a lackluster March and comes ahead of Donald Trump's anticipated visit to China, where trade imbalances are expected to be a key discussion point. The trade surplus for the first two months of 2026 reached $213.6 billion, driven by demand for artificial intelligence hardware and increased trade with Belt and Road Initiative partners. Despite the overall export growth, exports to the United States fell 16.4% year-over-year, contributing to a $87.7 billion US-China trade deficit year-to-date. This decline highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the potential for market-moving announcements during Trump's visit. Meanwhile, China's domestic demand also showed strength, with imports rising 25.3% in April.