Chinese Imports Sink Again

Zero-covid looks like one component of trade surplus maximization policy. MSN: China imports and exports shrink in October as demand from U.S. plummets

A key economic report card released Monday by China's national customs authority showed the country's overall exports fell by 0.3% in October compared to a year ago, but analysts had been expecting an increase well above 4%.

In a more troubling sign, exports to the United States, Beijing's largest trading partner, fell by 12.6% over the same month -- which was the third dip since August.

October's decline in exports represented an even deeper nosedive from a 5.7% annual increase that was seen in September and was the first market retraction in more than two years, according to financial data analyst Refinitiv Eikon.

China's imports also ran into trouble in October, falling 0.7% and missing expectations for 0.1% growth following a 0.3% increase the previous month.