China’s exports to the United States fell in July for the first time in several months, according to a survey by China Beige Book. The U.S.-based research firm surveyed 1,436 Chinese businesses between July 20 and 28 and found that U.S.-bound shipments declined outright, reversing a 14% surge in June that had helped overall exports jump 27%—the most in nearly five years. Factory activity decelerated in July, with manufacturing posting the worst employment performance as job growth worsened across all sectors from a year ago. Retail sales also fell from the prior month and the year-ago period, with travel and restaurants seeing a sharp on-year downturn. China’s top policymakers on Thursday emphasized the need to expand domestic demand and international trade cooperation, while official trade data for July is due on August 7.