China's exports jumped 12.4% in March from a year earlier in a last-minute flurry of activity as companies rushed to beat increases in U.S. tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and analysts forecast sharp setbacks ahead.

China’s exports jumped 12.4% from a year earlier as companies rushed to beat increases in tariffs imposed by U.S. President Trump.

The 145% tariff from the U.S. and the retaliatory 125% tariff from China are putting businesses doing trade between the U.S. and China on edge

Xi's U.S. counterpart, President Donald Trump, kept in place 145% tariffs on China, the world's second-largest economy.

Impeached South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol is due to attend the first hearing on Monday of his criminal trial to face charges that he led an insurrection when he declared martial law late last year and plunged the country into months of turmoil.

Xi starts a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia this week, beginning his state visits with Vietnam from April 14 to 15. The trip comes with an aim to consolidate economic ties with some of China's closest neighbours at a time when the world's top two economies are locked in a tariff tussle.

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,

China said it is now retaliating, adding 125% percent tariffs to U.S. goods, with the surcharge going into effect overnight.