China’s main trade fair struggles to lure buyers as global growth slows

(May 8): China’s largest trade fair was meant to be a triumphant return for the world’s biggest manufacturing nation after three years of being mostly online. Instead, the mood was downbeat as factories grapple with a slowing global economy and a scarcity of US buyers. That is well below 2008’s peak of US$38 billion or the pre-pandemic level of US$30 billion in 2019. While there was crowds of exhibitors and overseas visitors at the fair this spring, buyers from Western nations were scarce, with many sellers commenting on their absence. Even if demand picks up, some sellers are concerned that buyers will move on to products made in other regions.