Supply Chain Research

Japan’s trade surge continued for an 11th month in October, with export growth of 14%. While that was lower than expected, it avoided the slowdown seen in China. The expansion was led by the chemicals industry, partly due to commodity pricing, while the transport sector lagged. That included a marked improvement from the shipping industry (3% higher after a 12% contraction the month prior) and a recovery in automotive industry growth. The trade surplus with the U.S. climbed 11% on a year earlier, which may prove politically unhelpful as Deputy Prime Minister Aso and Vice President Pence ...