Supply Chain Research

China’s trade activity rebounded to a 16% surge in January from 5% in December. That followed a 30% jump in imports, which was well ahead of a 10% rise expected by economists. Rising oil imports were a major driver including record volumes and a 25% price increase. The later lunar new year this year will flatter both January and February figures vs. 2017. The surging oil demand also likely explains the 25% jump in imports from the U.S., yet that wasn’t enough to prevent another rise in the trade surplus. The surplus has now increased by 10% vs. January 2017 on a trailing 12 month basis, ...