China's export figures witnessed an unexpected decline of 1.1% year-on-year, reaching an eight-month low of USD 305.4 billion in October 2025. This downturn defied the anticipated 3% increase and contrasts with the 8.3% rise noted in September. This marked the first reduction in exports since February, primarily due to a slowdown in overseas orders following a period of advance shipping aimed at circumventing impending US tariffs. Contributing factors to this decrease included the Golden Week holiday, which resulted in fewer working days, and a significant base effect from the previous year. Cumulatively, exports for the year to date have shrunk by 7.0% year-on-year, amounting to USD 3.08 trillion.