China’s April economic data missed expectations amid cooling domestic demand and Iran war headwinds, with retail sales growing just 0.2% YoY to 3.72 trillion RMB ($546.3 billion) — the weakest growth since late 2022. Auto sales plunged 15.3% and jewelry dropped 21.3%, while industrial output slowed to 4.1% and urban unemployment eased slightly to 5.2%. Exports surged 14.1% as overseas buyers stockpiled goods amid global supply fears. Following a state visit by US President Donald Trump, China committed to purchasing $17 billion in American agricultural goods and 200 Boeing jets, while both nations agreed to establish trade and investment boards under a tariff-reduction framework.

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