China exports top forecasts but warning over US tariffs impact

China yesterday posted a forecast-busting surge in exports for July, but while its surplus with the US dipped slightly analysts warned that the full impact of US sanctions was yet to be felt, reports AFP from Beijing.

The figures come as the world’s two largest economies exchange threats of stiff duties on billions of dollars worth of goods, fuelling fears of a full-blown trade conflict that could hit global growth.

Beijing reported a $28.1 billion surplus with the US in July, down from the record $28.9 billion seen in June. But it was 11 percent higher than in the same month last year.

China’s global trade surplus also fell, from $41.5 billion in June to $28 billion in July. Exports surged a better-than-expected 12.2 percent in July, while imports soared 27.3 percent, also beating estimates.

But the latest readings are unlikely to ease tensions with Donald Trump’s administration.

China’s gaping trade surplus with the United States has long been a bone of contention, with the US president accusing the country of unfair practices and of stealing American jobs and technological know-how.

While July’s numbers narrow the gap, the relatively small change will do “little to cool down the escalating trade tensions between the two countries”, said Betty Wang, senior China economist at ANZ Research.

The recent decline of the yuan likely helped Chinese exporters as it makes their products cheaper, but it could fuel tensions with Trump, who has accused Beijing of manipulating its currency.

But Wang said the currency devaluation “has been largely market-driven” and “is not a preferred policy tool by Chinese policy makers as part of the retaliation measures.”

The White House on July 6 imposed 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese products entering the US, triggering a tit-for-tat response from Beijing.

Analysts were split on how much effect the tariffs had on July’s reading.

“The impact of tariffs on exports is yet to be reflected. We will see a full-month tariff effect in August,” Iris Pang, greater China economist at ING Wholesale Banking in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg News.

But Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said: “Shipments to the US did weaken slightly, which hints at some impact from the tariffs.

“Equally though, this may

reflect a broader softening in economic momentum among developed economies given that exports to the EU edged down too.”

Trump has boasted that trade wars are “easy to win” and warned he would hit virtually all Chinese imports if Beijing does not back down and take steps to reduce its $335 billion surplus with the US.

On Tuesday, US officials said they would slap 25 percent levies on another $16 billion worth of Chinese imports from August 23.

In a statement, the office of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said its “exhaustive” investigation showed “China’s acts, policies and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation are unreasonable and discriminatory and burden US commerce.”

 

China exports top forecasts but warning over US tariffs impact

China yesterday posted a forecast-busting surge in exports for July, but while its surplus with the US dipped slightly analysts warned that the full impact of US sanctions was yet to be felt, reports AFP from Beijing. The figures come as the worlds two largest economies exchange threats of stiff duties on billions of dollars worth of goods, fuelling fears of a full-blown trade conflict that could hit global growth. Beijing reported a $28.1 billion surplus with the US in July, down from the record $28.9 billion seen in June. But it was 11 percent higher than in the same month last year. Chinas global trade surplus also fell, from $41.5 billion in June to $28 billion in July. Exports surged a better-than-expected 12.2 percent in July, while imports soared 27.3 percent, also beating estimates. But the latest readings are unlikely to ease tensions with Donald Trumps administration. Chinas gaping trade surplus with the United States has long been a bone of contention, with the US president accusing the country of unfair practices and of stealing American jobs and technological know-how. While Julys numbers narrow the gap, the relatively small change will do little to cool down the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, said Betty Wang, senior China economist at ANZ Research. The recent decline of the yuan likely helped Chinese exporters as it makes their products cheaper, but it could fuel tensions with Trump, who has accused Beijing of manipulating its currency. But Wang said the currency devaluation has been largely market-driven and is not a preferred policy tool by Chinese policy makers as part of the retaliation measures. The White House on July 6 imposed 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese products entering the US, triggering a tit-for-tat response from Beijing. Analysts were split on how much effect the tariffs had on Julys reading. The impact of tariffs on exports is yet to be reflected. We will see a full-month tariff effect in August, Iris Pang, greater China economist at ING Wholesale Banking in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg News. But Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said: Shipments to the US did weaken slightly, which hints at some impact from the tariffs. Equally though, this may reflect a broader softening in economic momentum among developed economies given that exports to the EU edged down too. Trump has boasted that trade wars are easy to win and warned he would hit virtually all Chinese imports if Beijing does not back down and take steps to reduce its $335 billion surplus with the US. On Tuesday, US officials said they would slap 25 percent levies on another $16 billion worth of Chinese imports from August 23. In a statement, the office of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said its exhaustive investigation showed Chinas acts, policies and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation are unreasonable and discriminatory and burden US commerce.