China's exports slow sharply, imports shrink ahead of Trump tariffs

BEIJING - China's exports grew at a slower pace in November than the bumper month before, while imports unexpectedly shrank, in a worrying sign for the world's No. 2 economy as President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House brings fresh trade risks.

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Trump has pledged to slap an additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods in a bid to force Beijing to do more to stop the trafficking of chemicals used to make fentanyl.

Outbound shipments grew just 6.7 per cent in November, Customs data showed on Dec 10, missing an 8.5 per cent forecast increase in a Reuters poll of economists and down from a 12.7 per cent rise in October.

More worryingly, imports shrank 3.9 per cent, their worst performance in nine months, dashing expectations of a 0.3 per cent increase and keeping alive calls for more policy support to prop up domestic demand.

Trump has previously said he will introduce tariffs in excess of 60 per cent on Chinese goods.

Meanwhile, unresolved tensions with the European Union over tariffs of up to 45.3 per cent on China-made electric vehicles threaten to open a second front in Beijing's trade war with the West.