China Export Boom Sets Up High-Stakes Trade Talks at APEC Summit

Trade Dynamics - Soybean imports to the US reached a record 12.87 million metric tons in September, potentially influencing US-China trade negotiations at the APEC Summit [1] - China's rare earth exports fell significantly, declining 31% to 4,000.3 tonnes in September, and down 11% year-over-year to 42,936 tonnes from January to September [2] Labor Market and Consumption - Chinese manufacturers reduced staffing levels for the third time in four months in September due to pricing pressures, although improved external demand could ease margin pressures and lift employment [4] - China's unemployment rate increased to 5.3% in August, while retail sales rose 3.4% year-on-year, indicating a trend of higher unemployment and lower retail sales amid US tariffs [5] Non-US Trade Expansion - China successfully rerouted shipments, with exports to non-US destinations growing 14.8%, the fastest growth since March 2023, despite a 27% decline in shipments to the US [6] - Shipments to Africa surged by 56%, and exports to Latin America increased by 15.2%, reversing previous declines [6] Equity Market Performance - Mainland equity markets showed recovery on October 14, with the CSI 300 advancing 0.89% and the Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.68%, driven by optimism over a potential US-China trade deal [7][8] - The CSI 300 has rallied 17.9% year-to-date in 2025, while the Shanghai Composite Index is up 16.8%, indicating strong demand for Mainland-listed stocks despite punitive US tariffs [9]