China’s industrial output grew slightly in November, rising 5.4%, but retail sales disappointed with a three-month low of 3.0%, highlighting weak consumer demand.

Analysts urge Beijing to boost consumer-focused stimulus as trade tensions loom under a second Trump administration, which could impose tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese goods.

This pressure may accelerate China’s shift from an investment- and export-driven economy to a consumption-based model.

Fixed asset investment also slowed, rising 3.3% year-to-date, CNN has reported.

Experts note retail data was skewed by October’s early Double 11shopping festival, masking deeper reliance on government subsidies to drive consumption.

Written by B.C. Begley