CHINA TRADE WEAKENS AFTER CITIES SHUT DOWN

China’s export growth tumbled in April as global demand weakened, adding to pressure on the world’s secondlargest economy after Shanghai and other industrial cities were shut down to fight virus outbreaks. Exports rose 3.7% over a year earlier to $ 273.6 billion, down sharply from March’s 15.7% growth, customs data showed Monday. Imports crept up 0.7% to

$ 222.5 billion. Companies and investors worry the Communist Party’s “zero- COVID” strategy that temporarily closed most businesses in industrial centers will disrupt global trade.