China’s Trade Recovery Not All Good News with Imports Down, U.S. Exports Up
China’s international trade activity recovered in March with a 3.1% increase in bilateral trade. That included a 14.2% surge in exports though that may partly reflect seasonality – 1Q19 overall rose by 1.4%, the worst quarter since 4Q16. At the same time imports have slumped 7.6%, potentially putting a cap on exports across Asia.
Asia Exports Dropped in February, Little Hope Elsewhere in the World
Exports from the Philippines fell 0.9% year over year in February. As a result total exports across 14 Asian countries tracked by Panjiva dropped by 10.4% year over year. The signs for March are not bright with South Korea and Taiwan reporting lower exports.
Brexit Watch: British Trade Surges as Last Chance for Another Chance Beckons
Britain’s bilateral trade surged 12.3% higher year over year in February from 7.2% the month before, led by a 16.7% jump in imports in February. Leading 
import lines that have seen increased imports from the EU have included metal ores – which have risen 30.8% – pharmaceuticals which jumped 29.4% and vehicle imports which rose 19.0%.
Source: Panjiva, a S&P Global Company
