Story perspectives

US Retailers Advance China Orders; PMI Up, Chip Exports Rise

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. retailers moved Chinese orders forward four to six weeks before expected Section 301 tariff hikes.
China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 50.3 in June, returning above the 50 expansion threshold.
Exports of chips and AI products expanded, with the export-orders index at 50.1 and high-tech equipment PMI at 53.5.
Economists warned that despite PMI gains, manufacturing could slip into deflation, projecting Q2 GDP growth of about 4.6%.

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Story summary

U.S. retailers moved Chinese orders forward four to six weeks before expected Section 301 tariff hikes.
China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 50.3 in June, returning above the 50 expansion threshold.
Exports of chips and AI products expanded, with the export-orders index at 50.1 and high-tech equipment PMI at 53.5.
Economists warned that despite PMI gains, manufacturing could slip into deflation, projecting Q2 GDP growth of about 4.6%.