China Beige Book survey shows China's US-bound shipments fell in July

The U.S.-based research firm China Beige Book said on Friday, 31 July 2026, that China's U.S.-bound shipments "fell outright for the first time in several months". The finding is based on a survey of 1,436 Chinese businesses conducted between 20 and 28 July 2026.

The last time China's exports to the United States fell was in March 2026, when they dropped more than 26 percent from a year earlier. In June 2026 those shipments rose 14 percent, helping overall Chinese exports surge 27 percent, the most in nearly five years, as businesses front-loaded shipments ahead of expected higher U.S. tariffs.

The same report found that factory activity decelerated in July, with manufacturing recording the worst performance in employment. Retail sales also fell both from the previous month and from a year earlier. Official July trade data are due on 7 August and retail sales and investment figures on 17 August 2026.