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China Trade Surplus Largest on Record
China's trade surplus widened sharply to USD 62.93 billion in May 2020 from USD 41.20 billion in the same month the previous year and far above market expectations of a USD 39 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since the series began in January 1981, as exports dropped less imports, amid growing tensions with the US. Exports dropped by 3.3 percent year-on-year to USD 206.81 billion, after a 3.5 percent rise in the previous month and better than market expectations of a 7 percent decline, as the coronavirus health crisis ravaged business activity and global demand. Meanwhile, Imports slumped 16.7 percent year-on-year USD 143.89 billion, following a 14.2 percent fall in the prior month and compared to market expectations of a 9.7 percent drop. China's trade surplus with the US stood at USD 27.89 billion in May. Considering the first five months of the year, the trade surplus narrowed to USD 121.36 billion from USD 127.09 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
Published on 2020-06-07

China April Trade Surplus Larger than Forecast
China's trade surplus widened to USD 45.34 billion in April 2020 from USD 13.02 billion in the same month the previous year and far above market expectations of a USD 9.7 billion surplus. Exports unexpectedly rose for the first time in four months while imports posted the biggest drop in over four years amid the coronavirus outbreak. China's politically sensitive trade surplus with the US was USD 22.9 billion in April, compared to USD 15.3 billion in March. Considering the first four months of the year, the trade surplus narrowed to USD 58.40 billion from USD 85.89 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
Published on 2020-05-07

China March Trade Surplus Larger than Forecast
China's trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 19.9 billion in March 2020 from USD 31.5 billion in the same month of the previous year, but slightly above market expectations of USD 18.55 billion. Exports and imports fell less than anticipated as factories resumed production. China's politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States was USD 15.3 billion, accounting for three-quarters of its March surplus. For the first three months of the year, China's trade surplus totaled USD 12.8 billion.
Published on 2020-04-14

China Posts First Trade Gap Since March 2018
China unexpectedly reported a trade deficit of USD 7.09 billion in January-February 2020 combined, missing market expectations of a surplus of USD 24.6 billion. This was the first trade gap since March 2018, reflecting the severe impact of the rapid spread of COVID-19 outbreak to the country's economy. Year-on-year, exports slumped 17.2 percent to USD 292.49 billion, compared with market estimates of a 14.2 percent fall; while imports shrank 4% to USD 299.54 billion, compared with consensus of a 15 percent decline. China's trade surplus with the US for the first two months of the year stood at USD 25.37 billion, much lower than a surplus of USD 42.16 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier.
Published on 2020-03-07

China Delays Trade Data Release
China will combine January and February trade data, instead of releasing separate figures for each month, Reuters reported. The country applies the same procedure to other indicators such as industrial production, fixed investment and retail sales, aiming to better deal with distortions caused by the Lunar New Year holidays which fall in either January or February, depending on the years. China trade data for January was expected to be released on February 7th but was delayed.
Published on 2020-02-07

China December Trade Surplus Smaller than Forecast
China's trade surplus narrowed to USD 46.79 billion in December 2019 from USD 56.80 billion in the same month a year earlier and below market expectations of USD 48.0 billion, ahead of the signing of the so-called "Phase 1" agreement between Beijing and Washington. Exports jumped 7.6 percent, the first increase in five months, amid strengthening global demand and trade talks with the US. In addition, imports climbed 16.3 percent the most since October 2018, boosted in part by higher commodity prices. China's trade surplus with the US decreased to USD 23.18 billion in December from USD 24.6 billion in November. Considering 2019 full year, the trade surplus widened to USD 424.9 billion from USD 350.9 a year earlier, with exports rising by 0.5 percent and imports falling 2.8 percent. Still, China posted a USD 295.8 billion surplus with the US, down from USD 323.3 billion in 2018, with exports dropping 12.5 percent and imports slipping 20.9 percent.
Published on 2020-01-14

US-China Trade War Enters 3rd Year
In 2020, a slowdown in both the US and China economy is expected as the so-called trade war enters third year. Although the two countries are likely to sign the “phase one” trade deal early January, investors remain cautious as many see it more like a truce, unable to solve main trade issues. Also, with the US presidential election next year, uncertainty and cautiousness should head into 2020 as well.
Published on 2020-01-02

US-China Trade War Enters 3rd Year
In 2020, a slowdown in both the US and China economy is expected as the so-called trade war enters third year. Although the two countries are likely to sign the “phase one” trade deal early January, investors remain cautious as many see it more like a truce, unable to solve main trade issues. The Chinese economy is in the worst shape as the growth has been slowing down since the first round of tariffs was imposed by the US in February 2018. The US economy is still in the very good shape but signs of downshifting are becoming more evident as uncertainty spreads to manufacturers, exporters and companies in general. Also, with the US presidential election next year, uncertainty and cautiousness should head into 2020 as well.
Published on 2020-01-01

China November Trade Surplus Below Estimates
China's trade surplus narrowed to USD 38.73 billion in November 2019 from USD 41.86 billion in the same month a year earlier and below market expectations of USD 46.30 billion. This was the smallest trade surplus since August, as exports unexpectedly declined, while imports surprised forecasts by rising for the first time in seven months. China's trade surplus with the US decreased to USD 24.60 billion in November from USD 26.45 billion in October. The January-November trade surplus widened to USD 377.6 billion from USD 294.1 billion in the same period last year. The trade surplus with the US was recorded at USD 272.5 billion, with exports dropping 12.5 percent and imports slipping 23.3 percent.
Published on 2019-12-08

China Posts Largest Trade Surplus in 3 Months
China's trade surplus widened to USD 42.81 billion in October of 2019 from USD 32.97 billion in the same month a year earlier and above market expectations of a surplus of USD 40.83 billion. This was the largest trade surplus since July, as exports declined 0.9 percent year-on-year to USD 212.93 billion, while imports dropped at a faster 6.4 percent to USD 170.12 billion.
Published on 2019-11-08

China September Trade Surplus Beats Expectations
China's trade surplus widened to USD 39.65 billion in September 2019 from USD 30.26 billion in the same month a year earlier and compared to market expectations of a USD 33.3 billion surplus. Exports declined 3.2 percent over a year earlier while imports dropped at a faster 8.5 percent. Meantime, China's trade surplus with the US narrowed to USD 25.88 billion in September from USD 26.96 billion in August. In the first nine months of the year, the trade surplus with the US was recorded at USD 221.33 billion. Considering the January-September period, the trade surplus increased to USD 298.6 billion from USD 219.2 billion in the corresponding period of the prior year.
Published on 2019-10-14

China Trade Surplus Widens in August
China's trade surplus widened to USD 34.83 billion in August 2019 from USD 26.30 billion in the same month a year earlier and compared to market expectations of a USD 43.0 billion surplus. Exports declined unexpectedly by 1 percent to USD 214.80 billion, while imports fell at a faster 5.6 percent to USD 179.97 billion. China's trade surplus with the US narrowed to USD 26.95 billion in August from USD 27.97 billion in July. In January-August, the trade surplus widened to USD 259.27 billion from USD 189.05 billion in the corresponding period the prior year. In yuan-denominated terms, China's trade surplus came in at CNY 2.40 billion in August, as exports grew 2.6 percent and imports dropped 2.6 percent.
Published on 2019-09-08

China July Trade Surplus Larger than Expected
China's trade surplus soared to USD 45.05 billion in July 2019 from USD 27.49 billion in the same month a year earlier and above market consensus of USD 40 billion, as exports rose unexpectedly, while imports fell less than forecast. In January-July, the country's trade surplus surged to USD 225.67 billion from USD 162.75 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-08-08

China Trade Surplus Largest in 6 Months
China's trade surplus widened to USD 50.98 billion in June 2019 from USD 40.91 billion in the same month a year earlier as exports fell 1.3 percent and imports plunged at a faster 7.3 percent. This was the largest trade surplus since December last year and above market consensus of USD 44.65 billion. China's trade surplus with the US rose 11 percent to USD 29.92 billion in June from USD 26.9 billion in May, as imports plunged 31.4 percent and exports fell 7.8 percent. For January-June combined, the country's trade surplus with the US widened 5 percent to USD 140.48 billion from USD 133.76 billion in the same period in 2018.
Published on 2019-07-12

China May Trade Surplus Larger than Expected
China's trade surplus soared to USD 41.66 billion in May 2019 from USD 23.42 billion in the same month a year earlier and easily beating market consensus of a surplus of USD 20.5 billion. This was the largest trade surplus since December last year, as exports rose unexpectedly while imports dropped the most in nearly three years. China's trade surplus with the United States rose to USD 26.89 billion in May, from USD 21.01 billion in April. Considering the first five months of the year, the trade surplus widened to USD 130.47 billion from USD 94.36 billion in the same period last year, with exports rising 0.4 percent from a year earlier and imports declining 3.7 percent.
Published on 2019-06-10

China April Trade Surplus Far Below Estimates
China's trade surplus plunged to USD 13.84 billion in April 2019 from USD 26.21 billion in the same month a year earlier and missing market consensus of a surplus of USD 35.0 billion. Year-on-year, imports advanced by 4.0 percent to USD 179.65 billion, while export fell 2.7 percent to USD 193.49 billion. Considering the first four months of the year, the trade surplus widened to USD 90.16 billion from USD 70.94 billion in the corresponding period 2018. The trade surplus with the US, China's largest export market, was at USD 21.01 billion in April, little-changed from a surplus USD 20.50 billion in March.
Published on 2019-05-08

China March Trade Surplus Beats Expectations
China's trade balance shifted to a USD 32.64 billion surplus in March 2019 from a USD 5.77 billion deficit in the same month a year earlier and easily beating market estimates of a USD 7.05 billion surplus. Exports soared 14.2 percent year-on-year to USD 198.7 billion, while imports declined by 7.6 percent to USD 166 billion. Considering the first three months of the year, the trade surplus widened sharply to USD 76.3 billion from USD 54.6 billion in the same period the prior year. The trade surplus with the US, China's largest export market, narrowed to USD 20.5 billion in March from USD 14.72 billion in the previous period. For the January to March period, the trade surplus with the US was at USD 62.66 billion.
Published on 2019-04-12

China Trade Surplus Smallest in 11 Months
China's trade surplus plunged to USD 4.12 billion in February 2019 from USD 32.3 billion in the same month a year earlier, missing market forecasts of USD 26.38 billion. It was the smallest trade surplus since a rare deficit in March 2018, as exports fell the most in three years and imports dropped for a third straight month. The trade surplus with the US, China's largest export market, narrowed sharply to USD 14.72 billion in February from USD 27.30 billion a month earlier. Considering January-February combined, the trade surplus declined nearly 14 percent from the same period a year ago to USD 43.71 billion, with exports and imports falling 4.6 percent and 3.1 percent respectively.
Published on 2019-03-08

China Trade Surplus Beats Expectations in January
China's trade surplus widened sharply to USD 39.16 billion in January 2019 from USD 18.42 billion in the same month a year earlier and well above market consensus of USD 33.5 billion. Year-on-year, exports increased by 9.1 percent while imports declined by 1.5 percent. The trade surplus with the US, China's largest export market, narrowed to USD 27.30 billion in January from USD 29.87 billion in December. Exports to the country declined 2.4 percent year-on-year, while imports declined at a faster 41.2 percent.
Published on 2019-02-14

China Posts Largest Trade Surplus Since 2015
China's trade surplus widened to USD 57.06 billion in December 2018 from USD 53.85 billion in the same month a year earlier, above market consensus of a USD 51.53 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since December 2015, as exports fell the most in two years and imports posted the largest drop since July 2016 amid growing disruptions from an escalating trade war with the US and slowing global growth. For full year 2018, China posted a trade surplus of USD 351.76 billion, the lowest since 2013, as exports increased 9.9 percent, its strongest performance in seven years, while imports were up 15.8 percent. The politically-sensitive surplus with the US widened 17.2 percent to USD 323.32 billion last year, the highest on record.
Published on 2019-01-14