In July, Chinese exports fell 14.5% compared to one year prior, adding still more pressure to the government to intervene to reverse the sagging economy.

Exports dropped to $281.8 billion, as the slowdown accelerated from June’s 12.4% decline according to customs data released on Tuesday. Imports dropped 12.4% to $201.2 billion in a sign domestic demand was weakening, expanding the previous month’s 6.8% drop.

The nation’s global trade surplus shrank by 20.4% from last year’s record high, to $80.6 billion.

Pressure has been growing for China’s leadership to help support businesses and consumers, following the second largest economy in the world seeing anemic growth of 0.8% over the previous quarter, in the second quarter of 2023.

The government has promised to implement measures to aid entrepreneurs and to invigorate the real estate market and consumer spending. However so far the government has not announced any details of large scale stimulus spending, or tax cuts.