BEIJING — China’s trade surplus jumped to an all-time monthly high in October, according to official data released Monday, despite government pledges to restrain export growth and adding to pressure for action on trade barriers and currency.
The report comes amid demands by some U.S. lawmakers for sanctions if Beijing fails to ease currency controls. The European Union says it also will press China for action at a summit this month.
China’s trade surplus for the first 10 months jumped a massive 59 percent to $212.4 billion, according to figures released by the General Administration of Customs. The annual surplus already has surpassed the full-year record of $177.5 billion set in 2006.
October’s trade gap rose to $27 billion, up 13.6 percent from the same month last year, according to the customs data. The previous monthly record high was $26.9 billion in June.
