China's exports climb 4.8% in May as shipments to the US fall nearly 10%

China's exports rose 4.8% in May from a year earlier, a bit lower than expected, as shipments to the United States fell nearly 10%, according to data released Monday just hours ahead of another round of trade talks between the U.S. and China.

Imports declined 3.4% year-on-year, leaving a trade surplus of $103.2 billion.

China exported $28.8 billion to the United States in May, while its imports from the U.S. fell 7.4% to $10.8 billion, the report said.

Still, exports to Southeast Asia and the European Union remained robust, growing 14.8% and 12%, year-on-year.

“The acceleration of exports to other economies has helped China’s exports remain relatively buoyant in the face of the trade war,” Lynne Song of ING Economics said in a commentary.

Still, trade slowed in May from an 8.1% jump