Goldman Sachs(US:GS) Goldman Sachs·2025-05-08 01:49Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Chinese exports showed a year-over-year growth of 10.1% in real terms for Q1 2025, while nominal exports grew by 5.6% due to lower export prices across all categories [7] - The report anticipates a significant slowdown in export volume growth in the coming months if tariffs are maintained, projecting a decline of 5% in total goods export volume for 2025 [7][50] - Chinese nominal imports fell by 7.2% year-over-year in Q1 2025, primarily due to decreasing import volumes [25] - The current account surplus is expected to decrease to 1.6% of GDP in 2025 from 2.2% in 2024, driven by a narrower goods trade surplus and a widening services trade deficit [7][55] Summary by Sections Exports - Chinese exports remained solid in Q1 2025, with a 10.1% year-over-year growth in real terms, while nominal exports grew by 5.6% [7] - The decline in export prices was broad-based, affecting all categories, with the most significant increases in real terms for stone/glass/metals and transportation equipment [7][21] - Exports to Africa saw the highest year-over-year increase in Q1 [18] - New export orders under both NBS and Caixin manufacturing PMIs fell sharply in April amid higher US tariffs [23] Imports - Nominal imports decreased by 7.2% year-over-year in Q1 2025, with the weakest growth in stone/glass/metals due to lower gold imports [25] - Mechanical machinery and electric equipment saw the strongest import growth, while import prices for stone/glass/metals increased the most [25][39] - Imports fell for all regions except Japan, Korea & Taiwan, and ASEAN [33] Current Account and Balance of Payments - The report projects a decline in China's goods trade surplus to 3.7% of GDP in 2025 from 4.0% in 2024 [7] - The broad balance of payments (BBOP) is expected to remain unchanged at 0.4% of GDP in 2025, with significant net FDI outflows [8][57] - The current account balance is projected to narrow, reflecting a combination of a smaller goods trade surplus and a wider services trade deficit [55]