China's export growth fell in September in a sign of the West's malaise and a setback for hopes Chinese demand will help prop up a shaky global economy.
The slump in Western nations will hurt struggling Chinese exporters and raise the specter of politically sensitive job losses. Economies such as Australia and Japan that supply raw materials and components to China also might suffer because its export manufacturers account for half of Chinese imports and are cutting orders.
Export growth fell to 17.1 percent over a year earlier, down from August's 24.5 percent, customs data showed Thursday. Import growth also fell, while China's politically sensitive trade surplus narrowed to $14.5 billion.
The Associated Press: China's trade growth slows, surplus narrows