West slowdown hits China trade

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Demand from Europe and the US have slowed as their economies weaken, while high inflation in China has meant it is no longer as cheap to produce goods there as in previous years.

While the annual pace of China's exports remains strong, at 17.6% in June, it is falling rapidly. May's year-on-year growth was more than 28%. Today's June number fell well short of the expected 22% growth.

China is caught between competing pressures. It has raised the value of its currency, the yuan, to curb rampant inflation, but this has put added burdens on exporters already squeezed by raw material and labour costs and taxes.

In the first six months, exports grew 21.9% and imports rose 30.6% from a year earlier. The first-half trade surplus fell 11.8% to $99 billion (£50.04 billion) from a year earlier.