China’s Broad Economic Slowdown Raises Stimulus Expectations

China’s economic activity slowed more than expected across the board in August, adding to the likelihood that policymakers will roll out more stimulus to hit the official growth goal.

Industrial output and consumption had their worst month yet this year after a sharp slowdown in July, an underperformance that may heap more pressure on Chinese negotiators during high-level trade talks this week with US representatives. Production at Chinese factories and mines expanded 5.2% last month from a year earlier, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday, the smallest gain since August 2024.