China's economy slows as US tariff risks mount

Q2 GDP grows 5.2%, above 5.1% forecast

- JOE CASH, ELLEN ZHANG & KEVIN YAO

China's economy slowed less than expected in the second quarter in a show of resilience against US tariffs, though analysts warn that weak demand at home and rising global trade risks will ramp up pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus.

The world's no. 2 economy has so far avoided a sharp slowdown in part due to policy support and as factories took advantage of a US-China trade truce to front-load shipments, but investors are bracing for a weaker second half as exports lose momentum, prices continue to fall, and consumer confidence remains low.

Policymakers face a daunting task in achieving the annual growth target of around 5 percent—a goal many analysts view as ambitious given entrenched deflation and weak demand at home.