China Exports Unexpectedly Slow in Warning Sign for Economy

(Bloomberg) — China’s exports growth unexpectedly slowed in July, signaling a cooling of global demand that has been propping up growth in the world’s second-biggest economy.

Exports rose 7% in July in dollar terms from a year earlier, falling short of economists’ median forecast of a 9.5% gain, according to data from the customs administration Wednesday. Meanwhile, imports beat expectations and expanded 7.2%, narrowing a trade surplus to $84.65 billion from the previous month.