- China has been front-loading exports to the US ahead of a looming rise in tariffs in January.
- Chinese stocks tumbled Friday on trade-war fears and worries about a slowing Chinese economy.
- Experts are pessimistic about the outcome of a meeting between the two countries’ presidents at the G20 summit later this month.
Chinese exports to the US have risen this year as the country looks to get as many goods as possible off its shores before steeper tariffs arrive in January.
“This growth is due to exporters’ concern that the 10% tariffs on $200 billion of exported goods to the US will rise to 25% on 1 January 2019, which has led them to front-load exports,” ING said in a report on Friday.
Exports grew 15.6% year-on-year, up from an original consensus of 11.7% growth. Once those tariff hikes kick in, these figures are likely to weaken, ING said.
Experts are pessimistic that the trade war will abate at this month’s G20 summit. US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet at this year’s meeting at the end of November in Argentina. But hopes of a new trade deal between the countries have dampened on the back of negative rhetoric. This is despite booming demand from the US.
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