China’s economy grows at slowest pace since 1990s

(BBC) – China’s economy grew at its slowest pace since the early 1990s in the second quarter, official figures showed.

In the three months to June, the economy grew 6.2% from a year earlier. The result was in line with forecasts.

China has moved to stimulate its economy this year by boosting spending and delivering tax cuts.

The country is also fighting a trade war with the US which has hurt businesses and weighed on growth.

The data released on Monday showed China’s economic growth rate slowed from 6.4% in the first three months of the year.

US President Donald Trump tweeted that US trade tariffs were having “a major effect” on the Chinese economy.

China’s national statistics bureau said the figures pointed to a “complex environment” both at home and abroad.

It said the economy had “performed within the reasonable range” in the first half of 2019, but that it faced “new downward pressure”.

While China-watchers advise caution with Beijing’s official gross domestic product numbers, the data is seen as a useful indicator of the country’s growth trajectory.

Other data showed some signs of improvement in the world’s second-largest economy.

Industrial production rose 6.3% in June from a year earlier, while retail sales rose 9.8% year-on-year – both above forecasts in Reuters polls.

Global impact

Slowing growth in China has raised concerns about the potential knock-on effect on the global economy.

Earlier this year Beijing announced plans to boost spending and cut billions of dollars in taxes in an effort to support the economy.

It has also moved to provide a liquidity boost by reducing the amount of cash banks must hold in reserve.

Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda, said the latest economic data “shows the slowdown remains intact and markets should expect further stimulus” from China’s central bank later this year.

The US-led trade war is another factor weighing on growth.

“The trade war is having a huge impact on the Chinese economy, and with no end sight as trade negotiations struggle for meaningful progress, we are probably not near the bottom for China’s economy,” he said.

While both sides agreed to resume trade talks at a recent G20 summit in Japan, they have already placed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of one another’s goods, hurting businesses and casting a shadow over the world economy.