China Trade Growth Slumps in April

[alp227]

Source: NYT

China’s exports and imports both grew considerably more slowly than expected last month, the Chinese government announced on Thursday, in one of the clearest signals yet of lingering and possibly worsening weakness in the world’s second biggest economy.

China has been the largest single contributor to global economic growth in recent years, and a sustained slowdown in its economy could pose problems for many other countries. Particularly exposed are countries that export commodities like iron ore and oil, and depend on demand from China’s voracious steel mills and ever-growing ranks of car owners.

Exports rose slowly in April from a year earlier, climbing 4.9 percent, China’s General Administration of Customs announced on Thursday. That was roughly half the growth that economists had expected.

But the big surprise on Thursday came in the Chinese announcement that imports grew only 0.3 percent in April from a year earlier – nothing close to economists’ predictions of an increase of 11 percent.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/business/global/china-trade-growth-slumps-in-april.html

[Crowman1979]

1. Well it can't grow to infinity.

Its called a ceiling, and China has just hit it.

[Javaman]

2. and their fall won't be pretty...

they don't have half the banking regs we ignore over here.

[BlueIris]

3. I think those predictions of a Chinese civil war are finally starting to sound credible.

Economic collapse tends to foster political instability, too.

[Crowman1979]

4. If that's the case, then there is no justification for us to be armed to the teeth.

When China can't even control its own country, let alone invade another one. Besides most of its military is outnumbered 200+ to 1 by its own people.

[Diclotican]

5. BlueIris

BlueIris

Probably a long way to civil war in China yet - but I'm sure it will be a lot of social unrest, in parts of china when the economy is starting to be hit by the reality of things... And with civil unrest, I fear problems for China.. As one of the cardinal ideas in PRC have been that it is a country in harmony and peace with itself.. Civil unrest is not what the government want - and is prepared to stop at almost all cost.. And PRC have shown before that they ARE ready to hit hard when they hit.. I was not so old when Tiamen Square happened, but I do remember it wivid....


Diclotican

[Left Coast2020]

6. I've said the same thing here too.

THe gut feeling I get is something is going to happen. And that was not from this side of the ocean. Its from the time I spent there 2 years ago--returning last July. The people are getting a little pissed about higher food and housing costs. Are their wages going up as well? No way. Then throw in an occasional(and increasing number of) protests throughout the country. CCTV can't hide those broadcasts. They can call them anything they want, but they are people protesting against the government policies. And just for the record, despite the fact that there is no Facebook or Twitter(because its blocked by government), the Chinese will still find out what is going on.