Sep 30 2018, 7:05 AMOct 01 2018, 12:28 PMSeptember 30 2018, 7:05 AMOctober 01 2018, 12:28 PM
China 's trade dispute with the US is expected to hurt its manufacturing sector as reflected in two indices . The official manufacturing ( PMI ) reached 50.8 for September , down from 51.3 in August , while the Caixin manufacturing PMI , which reflects sentiment among smaller , private firms fell to 50 , from 50.6 the previous month , with 50 being the line between expansion and contraction . In addition , new export orders in the manufacturing PMI fell for the fourth - straight month , to 49 , the lowest reading since 2016 , and reflects the impact of the US - China trade war on China 's manufacturing exports , according to economist Vijay Biswas .