CHINA'S TRADE SURPLUS WITH U.S. HITS NEW RECORD

China’s Trade Surplus With U.S. Hits New Record

U.S.-China trade gap widens to $31.05 billion

BEIJING—China’s trade surplus with the U.S. hit another record monthly high in August as the world’s second-largest economy faced the threat of more tariffs from the Trump administration.

China’s trade surplus with the U.S. widened to $31.05 billion last month from $28.09 billion in July, while its total trade surplus narrowed, data from the General Administration of Customs showed Saturday.

The data came as Washington prepared to roll out a third round of tariffs, moving it closer toward imposing levies on virtually all Chinese goods entering the U.S.

A combination of factors, including a weaker Chinese yuan and exporters’ frontloading of shipments in anticipation of more tariffs, contributed to the worsening trade imbalance, said Liu Xuezhi, an economist with Bank of Communications.

“In the short term, it is difficult for the trade gap to narrow because American buyers cannot easily find alternatives to Chinese products,” Mr. Liu said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-trade-surplus-with-u-s-hits-new-record-1536397753