MNI DATA IMPACT: Tariffs Take Toll as China Reports Weak Trade

     BEIJING (MNI) - China's exports and imports both fell in June as weak

demand and the trade war slowed down growth. Here are the key points of note:

     - Exports fell 1.3% y/y, still better than -2.0% projected by MNI survey,

to $212.84 billion, slightly less than $213.84 billion in May. It reversed the

1.1% gain in May. Exports in the first half edged up 0.1% from last year.

     - Imports dropped 7.3% y/y to $161.86 billion, worse than forecast -2% and

followed -8.5% in May, and were down from $172.19 billion last month. Imports in

the first half dropped 4.3% y/y.

     - As imports plunged, trade surplus expanded to $50.98 billion from $41.65

billion in May, adding the total for H1 to $181.16 billion.

- Exports to the U.S. fell 7.8% y/y after -4.1% in May, while imports plunged

31.4%. Exports to the EU fell for the first time in four months by 3.0%

following 6.1% gain in May. Imports from the EU rose 8.6%, the fastest in eight

months. 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

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