Drooid Logo
Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

China pledges trade expansion to offset weak demand

8/18/2026

34 6 Full Breakdown

1 of 1

Story summary
  • Premier Li Qiang said the government will stabilise external demand and expand international trade to offset weak domestic demand.
  • July factory output rose 4.5% and retail sales 0.6%, both below forecasts, as high temperatures and heavy rainfall disrupted supply and demand.
  • Capital Economics’ Julian Evans-Pritchard said AI-related spending lifted manufacturing, noted typhoon-related weakness, and expects a growth uptick from fiscal loosening this year.