Trade deal promises falter as US exports to China fall 15%

Coronavirus shrinks demand and production in the January-March quarter

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Containerships at the Port of Los Angeles: The U.S. lowered tariffs on Chinese products in exchange for a commitment by Beijing to purchase more American goods. © Reuters

TAISEI HOYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

WASHINGTON -- American exports of goods to China dropped 14.7% on the year for the January-March quarter, as the coronavirus pandemic batters the global economy, raising the specter of Beijing unable to fulfill purchases promised under an initial trade deal.

The U.S. shipped $23 billion in goods to China during the first quarter on a census basis, compared with $27 billion a year earlier, official trade data published Tuesday shows.

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