China trade surplus with US falls to $10.42 bln in Feb

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's trade surplus with the United States fell to $10.42 billion in February from $14.5 billion in the same period last year, customs data showed on Wednesday.

China posted its first monthly trade deficit in three years in February as imports surged at their fastest pace since early 2012, driven by its strong demand for commodities from iron ore to crude oil and coal.

But an unexpected drop in exports left the country with a trade deficit of $9.15 billion for the month, the General Administration of Customs said.

Analysts had expected China's trade surplus to fall to $25.75 billion in February, versus January's $51.35 billion, with growing attention on its large trade advantage with the United States as new U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his protectionist rhetoric.

(Reporting by Sue-Lin Wong; Editing by Kim Coghill)