China $20 Billion Trade Surplus May Add Yuan Pressure

China posted a third straight trade surplus of more than $20 billion in August even as imports leaped, highlighting friction with the U.S. over claims that the nation’s currency is undervalued.

Exports rose 34.4 percent and inbound shipments climbed a more-than-forecast 35.2 percent, leaving a $20.03 billion excess, a customs bureau report showed today. That compared with $15.7 billion a year earlier and the median $26.9 billion estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 34 economists.