China’s Integrated Circuit Imports Tumble in First Half on Weak Demand, U.S. Trade Restrictions

China’s imports of integrated circuits (ICs) tumbled by both volume and value in the first half of this year, latest customs data show, with analysts attributing the slump primarily to weakened demand, increased inventory levels and to a lesser degree, the impact of trade restrictions.

Total value of IC imports in dollar terms plunged 22.4% to $162.6 billion in the first six months from the same period last year, while volume dropped to 227.8 billion units from 279.7 billion units in the same period, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs.