China's Manufacturing in Turmoil! Is This the End of the Middle Kingdom's Mead Hall?

The Dragon's Breath Turns Cold

Hark shield brothers and sisters! Ragnar Lothbrok speaks! I have heard whispers from the East from the land they call China. It seems their forges are cooling their hammers falling silent. Their 'Purchasing Managers Index,' whatever sorcery that be shows they are shrinking like a coward hiding behind his shield. Three months now! Even I Ragnar have had better streaks after a night of feasting and ale. They say their official PMI crept to 49.7 in June but stayed below 50. That sounds like a Skraelings trickery if you ask me.

Production and Orders Rise Like a Tide... Or Do They?

Now they boast of their production rising. They say their new orders are flowing like the Volga to the Caspian Sea. 'Hmph,' I say! A single wave does not a tide make. 'The sea has a habit of betraying one,' as I once told Athelstan. We must see if this is truly strength or just the bluster of a merchant trying to sell you a rusty sword as Valyrian steel. Production sub index at 51 new orders gauge ticked to 50.2 says some statistician named Qinghe Zhao. Those are the figures they want us to believe! I trust the words of a seer more than numbers but my words matter more right?

Empty Shelves and Idle Hands: A Sign of Ragnarok?

But here's the rub my friends! Their storerooms are emptying and their workers are idle. Inventory and employment levels are falling faster than Floki from a newly built longship. This I fear is a sign of deeper trouble. Like the gods abandoning a king this decline in production and jobs is a bad omen. They face the same old problem like we did; getting men to fight to their death is easy making them feel valued is the actual war. But what do I know?

The American Jarl and His Tariffs

Ah the Americans! Those boastful warriors from across the sea led by their own Jarl a man with hair the color of straw and a tongue sharper than a Dane axe. They demand tariffs like tribute from conquered lands! Their tariffs have hit the Chinese harder than a blow from Bjorn's bear claw. Exports have fallen like snow in Kattegat after winter! 'Never trust your enemy,' I always say especially when they are hoarding all the gold which happens to be everyone.

Beijing's Boast: A Consumption Powerhouse!

The Chinese Premier speaks of boosting demand of becoming a 'consumption powerhouse.' Ha! Empty words like promises made over a drinking horn. Their prices are falling their factories are losing money and their leaders are making promises they cannot keep. It reminds me of King Ecbert and his silver tongue. 'Power is only given to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up,' but it seems they need to find their own power or be overrun.

Hope on the Horizon? Or Just a Mirage?

There is talk of deals of agreements with the Americans. They say China will review exports and the Americans will ease restrictions. But economists caution that details are scarce. Can these two giants find common ground or will they continue to clash like Vikings in a shield wall? Only the gods know. But this is what I know in the grand game of power everyone is expendable and it includes pawns rooks bishops and even the king.