China trade improved in March, but global outlook remains grim

China’s imports and exports improved in March after the coronavirus outbreak caused a dramatic collapse in the first two months of 2020, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

But the outlook for China’s exports remained gloomy given the economic damage being done by the continued spread of the virus globally.

Some Chinese exporters, especially textile, apparel and automotive firms have been hit particularly hard by shrinking global demand caused by the pandemic, with export orders delayed or cancelled, the ministry said.

“Imports and exports have shown a certain improvement in March, according to feedback from various regions and industries,” said commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng on Thursday, with China set to officially release March trade data on Tuesday. “But at the same time, the impact of the global epidemic on the world economy and international trade is gradually emerging.”

China is also pushing ahead with the 3rd China International Import Expo, which is scheduled to take place in November in Shanghai, the commerce ministry said.

More than 1,000 companies have already registered to attend the event, with the exhibition area for medical devices, medicines and health care products having doubled in size due to increasing demand amid the coronavirus outbreak.