Source: Sharecast
According to the General Administration of Customs, exports grew by 4.4% to $321.8bn, down on July’s better-than-expected 7.2% growth and the softest pace since February. It also missed consensus for a 5% uplift.
Imports, meanwhile, grew by 1.3% to $219.4bn, missing consensus for a 3% rise and below July’s 4.1% increase.
As a result, the balance of trade was $102.33bn.
The Chinese economy has long been battling sluggish demand both globally and at home, and Donald Trump’s erratic tariff regime has added to the uncertainty.
China was hit especially hard on Liberation Day and quickly imposed its own stringent levies on US imports.
The dispute continued to escalate until a temporary truce was agreed between Washington and Beijing in May. That was last extended for another 90 days on 11 August, but the two economies - the world’s largest - have yet to agree a long-term, permanent deal.
China has long-relied heavily on exports to power domestic growth.
Exports to the US tumbled 33.1% in August. In contrast, exports to south east Asia jumped 22.5% and to the European Union by 10.4%.
Manufacturers are exploring other markets in light of Washington's tariff regime. But America remains one of China’s biggest and most important markets.
