Japan’s exports had the biggest increase in more than two years in February. Exports recovered from a Chinese New Year slowdown in January, as a widening trade surplus with the US potentially raises tensions in expectation of rising protectionism from Washington.
Annual export growth of 11.3 per cent exceeded a 10.6 per cent increase expected by economists and followed a 1.3 per cent gain in January.
Exports to the United States increased by 0.4 per cent in February from a year ago, largely from bigger shipments of cars and auto parts.