China's exports jumped 12.4% in March from a year earlier in a last minute flurry of activity as companies rushed to beat President Donald Trump's hefty increases in U.S. tariffs.

China's exports rose sharply in March after factories rushed out shipments before the latest U.S. tariffs took effect, but an escalating Sino-U.S. trade war has darkened the outlook for factories and growth in the world's second-biggest economy.

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.