China’s exports fell in October 2025, marking the first contraction in eight months, as demand from key overseas markets weakened.
Official customs figures released on Friday, November 7, 2025, show that shipments abroad dropped 1.1 per cent compared with the same month last year.
At the same time, imports increased marginally by 1.0 per cent, a sharp slowdown from September’s 7.4 per cent rise.
The United States, traditionally China’s largest export market, saw shipments tumble about 25 per cent.
Exports to Europe edged up less than 1 per cent, while trade with Southeast Asian nations rose roughly 11 per cent.
Economists say the slowdown partly reflects the exhaustion of “front‑loaded” exports earlier in the year, when manufacturers shipped goods ahead of possible tariff hikes.
Weak global demand and a slowing domestic economy are also contributing factors.
China’s manufacturing sector shows signs of strain, with the private-sector purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for October slipping to 50.6, the lowest reading in several months.
Analysts warn that continued weakness in exports could pressure overall growth, highlighting the limits of China’s reliance on foreign demand.
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The drop comes despite the one-year trade truce agreed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which suspended new tariffs and export restrictions.
Even with this reprieve, the export engine appears to be losing momentum.
Observers say the slowdown could ripple across global markets, affecting shipping, commodity prices, and international supply chains.
For China, the October data underscore the need to strengthen domestic consumption and investment as global trade growth softens.