Factory activity growth softens as tariffs loom

Price slump: Workers at a steel tube tower production line at a factory in Jiangsu province. The Caixin manufacturing PMI fell to 50.1 in January, the lowest in four months. — AFP

HONG KONG: China’s manufacturing activity unexpectedly declined for a second straight month in January, underlining the need for Beijing to step up economic stimulus with Donald Trump slapping tariffs on the country’s exports.

The Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) fell to 50.1, the lowest in four months, from 50.5 in December, according to a report released by Caixin and S&P Global.