China’s factory activity contracted at its fastest pace in 16 months in April, as steep US tariffs took a heavy toll on the manufacturing sector, adding urgency to Beijing’s efforts to roll out fresh economic stimulus.

Higher tariffs on U.S. imports of products from China appear to be taking a toll on the world's second-largest economy, according to monthly surveys of Chinese factory managers released Wednesday. The official survey by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing shows export orders slowed in April,

A sharp pullback in China's export orders shows President Trump’s eye-watering tariffs are starting to squeeze the engine room of China’s economy, piling pressure on Beijing to boost its stimulus efforts.