European, Asian factory growth sputters on weakening

exports
GROWTH in factory activity slowed across Europe and Asia in
September, with export orders weakening before the latest
escalation in the US-China trade conflict, in another sign the
global economy is shifting into lower gear.
Business surveys released on Sunday and Monday showed
the pace of expansion slowing across European and Asian
factories.
Gauges of future activity offered little hope for a turnaround
in the next few months.
Some of the gloom will be offset by news that the United
States and Canada clinched a deal on Sunday to salvage the
North American Free Trade Agreement, removing one near-
term risk to the global outlook.