China’s Exports Weaken on Covid Disruptions, Global Risks

Shipping containers sit in stacks in November 2020 at the Port of Nansha in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — China’s export growth slowed more than expected in August as global demand weakened and Covid lockdowns disrupted manufacturing production. Imports barely grew as domestic demand continued to struggle.

Exports in U.S. dollar terms expanded 7.1% last month from a year earlier to $314.9 billion, the General Administration of Customs said in a statement Wednesday. That was the slowest rise since April. Imports grew 0.3%, slower than a 2.3% increase in July, leaving trade surplus of $79.4 billion last month.