Japan's exports fell in July for the first time in nearly 2-1/2 years, driven by weak demand for light oil and chip-making equipment and raising concerns about a global recession as the demand in key markets such as China weakens.
Hong Kong's exports continue to decline for the 15th consecutive month, with a 9% decrease in July, due to trade contraction with mainland China, the US, and Europe, affecting the city's economic recovery and prompting a downgrade in GDP forecast.
Thailand's tourism and exports, particularly in the chemical and plastic sectors, are expected to decline due to the economic slowdown in China caused by the real estate crisis, leading to a significant decrease in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand and affecting the country's overall economy.
Profits at China's industrial firms fell 6.7% in July, marking the seventh consecutive month of decline, as weak demand continues to hinder the country's post-pandemic recovery.
US imports of consumer goods, particularly home electronics, experienced a significant decline in the second quarter of 2023, following the end of the Covid-induced work-from-home electronics boom, while US manufacturing also slowed, indicating challenges in stimulating demand; however, claims that this decline in imports is solely due to re-shoring are false, as imports from US allies such as Mexico, Vietnam, and India have increased in tandem with China's declining exports to the US.
Vietnam's exports have declined for the sixth consecutive month due to weaker global demand and China's deteriorating economic outlook, posing a risk to the country's GDP growth target.
China's economy is struggling due to an imbalance between investments and consumption, resulting in increased debt and limited household spending, and without a shift towards consumption and increased policy measures, the economic slowdown may have profound consequences for China and the world.
Chinese investments in Brazil dropped by 78% in 2022, reaching the lowest level in 13 years, primarily due to a decrease in funds allocated to resource projects, according to the Brazil-China Business Council.
South Korea's exports are likely to have fallen for the 11th consecutive month in August due to a slower Chinese economy and weakening demand in other regions.
Consumer spending in China rebounded in August, with all categories, including apparel, automotive, food, furniture, appliances, and luxury, experiencing increased sales compared to July, according to a survey by the China Beige Book. Retail sales in July rose by 2.5% year-on-year, raising concerns about China's economic growth, but the August survey showed a surge in spending, particularly in the services sector, which saw continued strength in travel and hospitality. Additionally, corporate borrowing increased as the cost of capital declined, indicating a boost in business activity. However, China's property sector continued to worsen, with house prices barely growing and home sales declining.
China's factory activity contracted for the fifth consecutive month in August, indicating that the slowdown in the country's economy has not yet reached its lowest point.
Japan's factory output fell more than expected in July, indicating a challenging start to the second half of the year for manufacturers amid concerns about China's growth and the global economy. Output declined 2.0% in July from the previous month, driven by decreased domestic and overseas orders, particularly in the electronic parts and production machinery sectors. However, car production rose 0.6% due to improved supply chain conditions.
If China were to slip into a deflationary spiral like Japan in the 1990s, it could lead to a decrease in consumer spending, a weakened economy, and negative consequences for the rest of the world, including a slowdown in imports for the US and adverse effects on developing economies reliant on Chinese exports and investment.
Chinese factory activity unexpectedly grew in August, fueled by improving local demand and an increase in new orders, although the Chinese economy still faces challenges due to weak external demand and a potential real estate crisis.
China's economy is portrayed as irrecoverably declining in the eyes of Western mainstream media.
German exports fell 0.9% in July, less than expected, due to global demand weakness and supply-chain friction.
China's exports are expected to contract at a slower pace in August, with a projected fall of 9.2%, as manufacturers continue to face pressure due to weak overseas demand and a shrinking labor market.
U.S. manufactured goods orders experienced a significant 2.1% decline in July, the first drop in four months, due in part to higher interest rates impacting business equipment spending.
China's economy is showing signs of slowing down, including a decrease in GDP growth rate, declining exports, deflationary consumer price index, high youth unemployment, a weakening yuan, and a decrease in new loans, which could have global implications.
U.S. manufacturers reported a decline in business activity for the 10th consecutive month in August, but the declines are becoming less widespread, suggesting that the trough in the cycle may be approaching.
China's share of US goods imports has dropped to its lowest level since 2006, as American companies reorganize supply chains to reduce dependence on China and shift to countries like Mexico and Vietnam.
The Chinese yuan has dropped to a 16-year low against the dollar due to concerns over a deepening economic slowdown in China, with data showing a decline in exports for the fourth consecutive month.
China's total import and export value in the first 8 months of this year slightly decreased by 0.1 percent compared to the previous year, but exports have continued to grow and the global market share remains stable, highlighting the overall stability of China's foreign trade operations.
The decline in Chinese imports into the U.S. is impacting steel prices and raising concerns about sourcing steel and other metals.
China's consumer prices returned to positive territory in August, increasing by 0.1% from a year earlier, while producer prices fell for the 11th consecutive month; analysts expect consumer prices to recover and services inflation to pick up as energy prices stabilize and the output gap narrows.
Big Japanese manufacturers and the services sector in Japan are experiencing a decline in confidence, with concerns of a slowdown in China's economy affecting global and domestic growth, according to a Reuters poll. The weak sentiment in the business sector raises doubts about the ability of exports to drive economic recovery amid weak domestic demand. Many companies cited high input costs and weak demand as contributing factors, along with geopolitical risks and tensions between the US and China.
China's economy is facing potential decline due to high debt levels, government interference, and an aging population, with warnings of a full-blown financial crisis echoing the 2008 US recession. Failure to liberalize the economy could have long-term consequences, as foreign investments are restricted and the lack of capital inflow and outflow could harm businesses.
Chinese stocks experienced their largest monthly outflow in August, as waning interest from global investors was driven by negative sentiment over the country's economic outlook and concerns over regulatory uncertainty and strained international relations. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to China also contracted, with China's share of FDI inflows among emerging markets predicted to decline to less than 30% by 2027.
China's factory output and retail sales grew at a faster pace in August, but declining investment in the property sector poses a threat to the country's economic recovery.
India's merchandise exports dropped by 6.9% in August, marking the seventh consecutive month of decline, due to weak external demand, while the merchandise trade deficit reached a 10-month high of $24.16 billion driven by higher crude oil prices and robust domestic demand.
Singapore's annual exports fell for the 11th consecutive month in August, declining by 20.1% as the trade-dependent economy struggles with global headwinds and declining demand, indicating that export stabilization is not yet within reach.
China's economic data for August shows a mixed picture, with retail sales and production on the rise, property investment declining, and the urban jobless rate ticking downward, leading experts to believe that while there may be modest improvements in growth, a strong recovery is still unlikely.
China's economic model is in decline and will have a significant impact on global markets, according to veteran investor David Roche, who predicts long-term struggles for manufacturing-based economies and warns of potential social unrest and geopolitical problems.
Japan's exports to China declined for the ninth consecutive month in August, dropping 11%, due to weak demand and the suspension of seafood imports following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant incident.
China experienced its largest capital outflow since 2015, with $49 billion leaving the country, as economic concerns prompt investors to withdraw; of this, $29 billion was withdrawn from securities investments, including bonds. The outflow was compounded by a record-high $12 billion in mainland-listed stocks being dumped by foreign investors and a $16.8 billion deficit in direct investment, the largest since 2016. The decline in the capital account was exacerbated by the tourism season, with outbound travel negatively impacting the services sector, while inbound travel remained suppressed, causing a continued deficit in the services trade. Efforts by Beijing, such as reducing the foreign currency reserves held by banks, have aimed to support the yuan but have been unable to prevent a significant decline in the offshore yuan. Weak exports and the allure of US yields have also contributed to the yuan's decline, further complicating China's capital flight situation, as doubts about the country's ability to achieve its 5% GDP target for the year grow.
