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China’s August Exports Slow to Six-Month Low as U.S.-Bound Shipments Drop 33%

A temporary tariff truce has failed to revive U.S. demand, pushing Chinese sellers to diversify toward ASEAN, the EU and Africa.

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This picture shows an aerial view of shipping containers stacked at a port in Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on September 4, 2025.
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Overview

  • Overall exports rose 4.4% year on year in August, the weakest pace in six months, while imports grew 1.3% and the trade surplus widened to about $102.3 billion.
  • Shipments to the United States fell roughly one-third from a year earlier, with data also showing fewer China–U.S. container departures and tighter U.S. scrutiny of transshipments.
  • Sales to alternative markets accelerated, including a 22.5% jump to ASEAN (Vietnam up 31%), a 10.4% rise to the European Union and about 26% growth to Africa.
  • The earlier boost from front-loading ahead of tariff increases faded, and economists say weak domestic demand could prompt targeted fiscal support in the fourth quarter.
  • A 90-day tariff pause agreed on Aug. 11 remains in force through early November, delaying further escalation but leaving core trade disputes unresolved.