China Trade Weakens Ahead of U.S. Election Uncertainty

(Beijing) — China's overall exports, imports and trade with the United States dropped in October ahead of the U.S. presidential election, as analysts warned that the results of the presidential race will have an uncertain effect on Sino-U.S. trade.

China's General Administration of Customs reported Tuesday that exports decreased to $178 billion in October, down 7.3% from a year earlier but an improvement over September's 10% fall. ­The September and October drops were the steepest and second-steepest monthly declines respectively since February. Imports in October slipped 1.4% to $129 billion.