Chinese exports unexpectedly fell in October after months of front-loading US orders to beat President Donald Trump's tariffs, in a stark reminder of the manufacturing juggernaut's reliance on American consumers even as it woos buyers elsewhere. But US-bound Chinese goods will still face an average tariff rate around 45 percent, above the 35 percent level that some economists say wipes out Chinese manufacturers' profit margins. China's trade surplus with the US came in at $24.76 billion in October, rising from $22.82 billion a month prior. In line with its push to broaden its trade ties, Beijing on Thursday flagged fresh prospects for a trade or investment deal with the European Union, the world's third-largest economy. Last month, China posted a trade surplus of $21.9 billion with the 27-strong bloc.
