China’s August exports shrink as tariff war hurts US sales
Live MintBeijing/Tokyo: China’s exports unexpectedly contracted in August, with sales to the US tumbling amid the escalating trade war between the two nations. Exports decreased 1% in dollar terms from a year earlier, while imports declined 5.6%, leaving a trade surplus of $34.84 billion, the customs administration said Sunday. China and the US will hold face-to-face trade negotiations in Washington in the coming weeks, after a rapid deterioration in relations last month left global investors reeling amid increasing evidence the conflict is harming both nations. “Add in the inevitable fall-off when U.S. shipments finally catch up with 15% and 30% tariffs, and it’s an ugly picture.” Weak exports add pressure on China’s already-slowing economy and point to an increased need for its policy makers to beef up stimulus measures.