China’s exports slumped in March, dealing a blow to hopes that booming sales abroad will offset weak demand at home and drive growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Exports shrank 7.5% in dollar terms in March from a year earlier, while imports fell 1.9%, the customs administration said Friday. Both numbers came in well below economist forecasts. The trade surplus for the month was almost $59 billion. Bright spots in earlier March data, especially from trade and industry, had offered encouragement that China’s goal this year of around 5% economic growth is within reach. Manufacturing companies reported an ... (full story)