China's second-quarter growth slows to 4.3%, missing forecasts as trade tensions rise
China's economy grew by 4.3% in the second quarter of 2026, official data showed on Wednesday. This figure fell short of analysts' average forecast of 4.5% and marked a slowdown from the 5% growth recorded in the first quarter. The world's second-largest economy expanded by 4.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026.
Foreign trade remained a key pillar of growth, with exports measured in US dollars surging by 27% year-on-year in June, while imports jumped by 36%. However, the export boom has fuelled growing trade tensions, with Germany and the European Union debating how to respond to rapidly rising imports of Chinese goods and excess capacity.
China's domestic economy continued to face pressure. Investment in the property sector fell by 18% in the first half of the year, with the prolonged real estate downturn weighing on consumer confidence and household spending. Industrial production grew by 5.4% in the first six months of the year, according to the statistics office, while retail sales rose by just 1.3%.
Premier Li Qiang called for stronger support for the economy and further measures to stimulate domestic demand during a meeting with experts and business representatives on Monday.
The National Bureau of Statistics attributed the slowdown in growth to "external factors," including the conflict in the Middle East and slower global economic growth. Vice-Commissioner Mao Shengyong noted that the petrochemical industry was particularly affected, while other sectors developed normally.
The value of new home sales fell by 13.6% in the first half of the year, further indicating the pressure on the real estate sector.
The strong demand for Chinese technology exports, particularly semiconductors and electric vehicles, has been a significant driver of growth. Exports of automobiles exceeded one million units for the first time in June, driven by global demand for electric vehicles.
The Chinese government has set a growth target range of 4.5% to 5% for the year, the lowest target since 1991.
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
4 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Axfood växer långsammare Dagligvarujätten Axfood – som bland annat driver Willys- och Hemköp-kedjorna samt grossisten Dagab – redovisar en rörelsevinst på 964 miljoner kronor för årets andra kvartal.Försäljningen nådde inte förväntningarna.
svenska dagbladet · about 3 hours ago
Halbleiter: Chipexporte fast verdoppelt: Singapur wird durch KI-Boom noch reicher Die Wirtschaft des wohlhabenden Stadtstaats ist im ersten Halbjahr um sechs Prozent gewachsen. Zum Treiber entwickelt sich die starke Nachfrage nach KI-Rechenzentren.
handelsblatt · about 3 hours ago
Konjunktur: Chinas Wirtschaft wächst langsamer als erwartet Die chinesische Wirtschaft ist im zweiten Quartal um 4,3 Prozent gewachsen. Starke Exporte können die Schwäche im Inland nicht ausgleichen.
tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago
Chinas Wirtschaft wächst langsamer als erwartet
orf.at · about 3 hours ago
China new home prices fall at slower pace, but recovery doubtful
news.yahoo.com · about 3 hours ago
China urges Europe to act prudently on South China Sea issues--China Economic Net
gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago
Zahlen aus Peking: Chinas Wirtschaft wächst langsamer als erwartet Die chinesische Wirtschaft verzeichnet das geringste Wachstum seit drei Jahren. Der Außenhandel entwickelt sich hingegen sehr gut.
faz · about 3 hours ago
Chinas economic growth slows to 4.3 in second quarter
news.yahoo.com · about 3 hours ago
Chinas Economy Grows at Weakest Pace Since 2022 Chinas gross domestic product expanded 4.3 in the second quarter, as a dismal domestic economy offset surging exports.
wsj · about 4 hours ago
Economia românească va avansa cu doar 0,2 în 2026, crede o mare bancă locală, care mizează pe extinderea fizică, nu doar pe digitalizare Potrivit estimărilor UniCredit, economia românească va avansa cu doar 0,2 în 2026, înainte de o revenire la 2,3 în 2027. Alături de Slovacia, România este singura economie din eșantionul analizat care va crește sub media regională pe termen scurt, iar explicația oferită de bancă este directă: măsurile de consolidare fiscală lovesc activitatea economică mai puternic …
hotnews.ro · about 4 hours ago
Is the US or Europe better off? Comparing the two economies is harder than it seems
financial times · about 4 hours ago
China has become increasingly unforgiving toward countries it believes have offended it, writes Deng Yuwen.
bluesky_Foreign Policy · about 5 hours ago
Chinas Q2 growth set to lose steam, stimulus to remain calibrated reut.rs/4poiE50
bluesky_Reuters · about 5 hours ago
China economic growth falls sharply, missing target
news.yahoo.com · about 5 hours ago
China new home prices decline at slower pace in June
news.yahoo.com · about 5 hours ago
Creșterea economică a Chinei a încetinit, ratând obiectivul stabilit Creșterea economică a Chinei a încetinit brusc în cel de-al doilea trimestru pe fondul cererii interne slabe și al impactului războiului din Iran asupra prețurilor petrolului, care a slăbit exporturile puternice ale țării, potrivit BBC. Cifrele oficiale ale produsului intern brut (PIB) arată că a doua cea mai mare economie a lumii a crescut în …
hotnews.ro · about 5 hours ago
Chinas Growth Cools More Than Expected in Second Quarter Official data showed gross domestic product in the worlds second-largest economy expanded 4.3 from a year ago in the April-June quarter, slowing from 5.0 in the prior quarter.
wsj · about 5 hours ago
Konjunktur: Chinas Wirtschaft schwächelt im zweiten Quartal Die zweitgrößte Volkswirtschaft der Welt wuchs im zweiten Quartal nur noch um 4,3 Prozent. „Prächtig entwickelte sich laut des Statistikamts jedoch der Außenhandel.
handelsblatt · about 5 hours ago
China reports lowest GDP growth in more than 3 years Second-quarter figure falls at low end of annual target range as monthly indicators have highlighted economic pressures
financial times · about 5 hours ago
VIEW Chinas second-quarter economic growth misses market forecast reut.rs/4gA7Iip
bluesky_Reuters · about 5 hours ago
Chinas Q2 GDP growth slows to 4.3 y/y, misses market forecast reut.rs/4fzFWBA
bluesky_Reuters · about 6 hours ago
China reports 4.3 per cent GDP growth in second quarter Figure at low end of target range comes as monthly indicators have highlighted economic pressures
financial times · about 6 hours ago