China’s Trade Data Is Significantly Weaker Than Forecast

HONG KONG — Chinese trade data for June came in much weaker than expected on Wednesday, offering the latest evidence that China has lost much of its economic vigor as Beijing seeks to steer the economy toward steadier, but slower, expansion.

Exports fell 3.1 percent from the same period a year earlier — the first drop since early 2012 — the customs department reported, and imports decreased 0.7 percent, falling for the second month in a row. Both figures were far below the expectations of analysts, who had projected a 4 percent increase in exports and an 8 percent climb in imports, according to Reuters.

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Bettina Wassener, The New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChinaUsFocus/~3/kPlg6DfZC6M/