* Hang Seng index ends up 1.5 pct
* China Enterprises index HSCE rises 1.3 percent
* HSI financial sector sub-index up 1.3 pct; property sectorup1.7 pct
SHANGHAI, March 8 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rallied onThursday to recoup losses in the previous session, buoyed byChina's robust trade data, and as trade war fears mitigatedafter news U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs mayexclude certain key partners. ** At close of trade, the Hang Seng index .HSI was up 1.5percent at 30,654.52. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index .HSCE rose 1.3 percent to 12,334.83.** The impending hefty U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminiumimports could exclude Canada, Mexico and a clutch of othercountries, said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders at a mediabriefing. "Market participants expect Trump's tariffs to be not thatstringent after news of potential tariff exemption for Canadaand Mexico," said Steven Leung, Hong Kong-based analyst with UOBKay Hian.** There is a lack of a clear direction in the H-share marketfor now, and the increased volatility could also be due to moreparticipation of short-term money, Leung added. ** Sentiment was also lifted after data showed China's exportsunexpectedly surged the fastest in three years in February,suggesting its economic growth remains resilient even as traderelations with the United States rapidly deteriorate. ** The top gainer on Hang Seng was China Resources PowerHoldings Co Ltd 0836.HK , up 6.21 percent, while the biggestloser was BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd 2388.HK with a 0.13percent fall. ** As of the previous trading session, the Hang Seng index wasup 0.93 percent this year, while China's H-share index was up4.0 percent. As of previous close, the Hang Seng has declined2.1 percent this month. ** The top gainers among H-shares were Huaneng PowerInternational Inc 0902.HK up 6.92 percent, followed by CSPCPharmaceutical Group Ltd 1093.HK gaining 5.86 percent andDongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd 0489.HK up by 4.74 percent. ** The three biggest H-shares percentage decliners were ChinaCommunications Construction Co Ltd 1800.HK which was down 0.82percent, Air China Ltd 0753.HK which fell 0.5 percent andAgricultural Bank of China Ltd 1288.HK down by 0.5 percent. ** About 1.58 billion Hang Seng index shares were traded,roughly 56.5 percent of the market's 30-day moving average of2.79 billion shares a day. The volume traded in the previoustrading session was 2.20 billion. ** At close, China's A-shares were trading at a premium of 28.55percent over the Hong Kong-listed H-shares.