China Exports April 2008
Submitted by China Economy Watch Blog
China’s export growth slowed in April and the trade surplus was little changed as economies around the world weakened. Exports rose about 21.8 percent from April 2007, following a 30.6 percent gain in March, according to figures derived from Ministry of Commerce data. The trade surplus was about $16.8 billion compared with $16.7 billion a year earlier.
Central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said on May 4 that weaker export growth has been a factor in the yuan’s failure to appreciate versus the dollar after a 4.2 percent jump in the first quarter. Smaller gains in shipments reduce the risk that inflows of cash from overseas sales will fuel 11-year high inflation and overheat the world’s fastest-growing major economy.