China’s industrial output grows 6.1% despite retail slowdown
China’s industrial output rose 6.1% YoY in April, slowing from March’s 7.7% but surpassing forecasts, showing resilience amid U.S. trade tensions. The boost came from early fiscal support, strong exports, and a tentative U.S.-China tariff rollback. However, retail sales growth slowed to 5.1%, and sectors like property and commodities showed limited recovery. Despite unemployment dropping to 5.1%, deflation risks, weak consumer sentiment, and tepid lending point to ongoing challenges. Analysts emphasize the need for sustained policy easing to stabilize growth amid structural pressures.