Economics
China’s Strengthening Economy Bolsters Its Hand in Trump Trade Talks
- Both governments said to be in final stages of negotiations
- U.S. hawks had cited weak Chinese data as a reason to settle
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China’s economy rebounded through the first quarter, a welcome sign of stabilization for the world and handing the government room for maneuver as trade negotiations with the U.S. enter a crucial stage.
Gross domestic product rose 6.4 percent in the first three months from a year earlier -- matching last quarter’s pace and beating economists’ estimates. Factory output in March jumped 8.5 percent from a year earlier, much higher than forecast. Retail sales expanded 8.7 percent while investment was up 6.3 percent in the year to date.