The $750 billion question: Report claims China fudged trade data to fool the IMF

China's reported trade data may have been manipulated to give a misleading picture to the IMF, according to a Council on Foreign Relations report. The analysis suggests China's current account surplus ballooned from $400 billion to $750 billion since late 2024, while its net exports significantly boosted economic growth. This discrepancy raises concerns about transparency in global trade data and could impact international economic assessments and policies. The findings are particularly significant given China's growing economic clout and the potential repercussions for global trade dynamics.