China’s exports slow, imports decline in November, falling below forecasts
Associated PressHONG KONG — China’s exports slowed in November and its imports declined, falling below forecasts and underscoring potential weakness in trade at a time when its leaders are striving to boost the economy after the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to slap tariffs of 60% or more on imports of Chinese goods, complicating Beijing’s efforts by threatening an area of the economy that has performed relatively well while the property sector remains in the doldrums and consumer spending remains fragile. The decline comes several months after the U.S. imposed secondary sanctions on goods deemed to support Russia’s military operations, including some Chinese firms that the U.S. accused of helping Moscow circumvent sanctions. But late last month, an official survey by the National Bureau of Statistics showed China’s factory activity expanding for a second consecutive month in November, rising to 50.3, the highest figure reported in seven months.