April 2014 Trade Bulletin

Highlights of this Month's edition: U.S.-China bilateral trade fell in February, mostly due to a plunge in U.S. imports from China, with a net positive effect for the U.S. trade balance; USTR publishes 2014 National Trade Estimate report detailing major trade barriers; WTO hands U.S. victory in rare earth case, but partial win to China on U.S. trade remedies law case; February exports drop significantly, resulting in a rare monthly trade deficit; Chinese policymakers say they could tolerate slower growth but evidence is conflicting: the government has allowed two small firms to default, but at the same time, the government has taken new measures to stimulate growth; Agricultural products dominate U.S. exports to China, but they are underperforming; bulk items, mostly soybeans, dominate exports, while Chinese government restricts access for U.S. consumer foods.