French exports expanded by their fastest since August 2011 with a 9% rise in March on a year earlier. As a consequence the trade deficit was 11% lower than expected. The growth partly includes a technical effect from the Airbus supply chain – jets sent to Italy for painting haven’t yet returned. Their return may cause a slowdown in April, though French managers are their most upbeat since June 2011. Looking ahead exports to China fell 9% in April. That may offset a 9% increase in U.S.-bound shipments, Panjiva data shows.