China's 2019 GDP growth forecast lowered as impact of trade tensions persist

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said it was lowering China's economic growth forecast for 2019 and 2020, citing "uncertainty" over the trade war between Beijing and Washington. The world's second-largest economy is expected to rise by 6.2 per cent this year and 6.0 per cent in the next, the IMF said, down from previous forecasts of 6.3 per cent and 6.1 per cent, respectively.

"Everybody loses in a proactive trade war. If the trade is threatened, if the trade is damaged, growth will suffer," Kenneth Kang, deputy director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific department, said at a press conference in Beijing to present the findings of a visit to China. Talks to resolve the trade war between the world's two biggest economies have stalled, leaving in place bruising tariffs on $360 billion worth of two-way commerce.

"Uncertainty around trade tensions remains high and risks are tilted to the downside," the IMF said in a statement. The downgrade comes as China's government launches a series of measures to reverse the downward trend, with policymakers turning the credit taps back on and rolling out massive tax cuts.

The IMF's forecast remains within the government's official target of growth ranging between 6.0 and 6.5 per cent this year, down from 6.6 per cent in 2018.