Chinese exports to UK rise as firms seek to avoid US tariffs

UK policymakers will track Chinese goods and shipping lags closely to see if they arrive in the UK rather than the US. Photograph: AP

Chinese exports to the UK jumped in May, according to data from Beijing, raising the prospect of a flood of cut-price goods as firms look for alternative markets to avoid Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Data published by the Chinese government showed a 16.1% increase in exports to the UK in May compared with the same month last year, hitting the highest level since February 2022.