Chinese imports reportedly dropped to the lowest point in nearly three years, while exports unexpectedly rose for May, as the trade war between the U.S. and China plays out.

May imports fell 8.5 percent, sharper than the 3.8 percent analysts had forecast, according to Reuters, the sharpest decline since July 2016.

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Chinese exports, however, increased by better-than-expected margins, according to the news service. China's May exports rose 1.1 percent from a year prior, although experts had expected it to fall 3.8 percent.

President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE has imposed tariffs on a range of Chinese goods and threatened more tariffs if a trade deal is not reached between the world's two largest economies.

Some analysts told Reuters they suspect the rise in exports could be due to Chinese exporters looking to rush shipments to the U.S. ahead of the threatened tariffs.

Analysts also told Reuters that China may loosen some policies to improve economic growth as the trade pressure intensifies.