China's factory activity contracts as export orders weaken

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 04:50 · Archive

China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 49.3 in October, indicating contraction.

China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 49.3 in October, compared with 50.1 in September and 49.8 in August. The index is measured from 0 to 100, with readings below 50 indicating contraction. Several key subindexes were also in contraction territory in October, including new export orders, which fell to 48.7 from 50.0 in September, and production, which dropped to 49.8 from 51.7.

Chinese companies have been shipping more goods abroad to find buyers at a time of weakened domestic demand, which is being dragged down by China's property sector downturn. But trading partners are increasingly complaining about growing trade deficits with China, arguing that an influx of cheaper Chinese goods has hurt their domestic industries' competitiveness. The European Union says its trade deficit with China hit $1.1 billion a day in 2025 and has struck a deal with Beijing to cap imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles.

China has been exporting more to trading partners in Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America since the U.S. imposed higher tariffs last year, as it seeks to rebalance its trade relationships.

How it is being reported

• China’s factory activity slips as new export orders weakenChina's factory activity contracted in October, reversing the previous month's reboujnd.News4Jax · 31 Oct, 04:13
• China’s factory activity slips as new export orders weakenChina's factory activity contracted in October, reversing the previous month's reboujnd.Clickorlando · 31 Oct, 04:13

In this story: China · European Union · United States · Europe · Southeast Asia · Latin America

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