China’s economy expanded by 5.2% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to official data released Thursday, matching forecasts despite ongoing trade tensions. Robust exports offset pressures from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff campaign, as Asian leaders wage a multi-pronged battle to sustain growth.
Retail sales rose 4.8% annually, falling short of the 5.3% projected by economists. Industrial output, however, climbed 6.8%, exceeding the 5.6% consensus estimate.
“The national economy withstood pressures and showed steady improvement despite challenges,” stated Sheng Laiyun, Deputy Director of China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). “Both production and demand registered consistent growth,” he emphasized.