China’s economy grew more than expected in the last three months of 2024, official data showed on Friday, as it awaits the likely imposition of fresh tariffs by US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next week.

Even before Donald Trump takes office on Monday, trade tensions between the world’s biggest economies are already heating up.

Correcting the major imbalances in the global economy will require collaborative international action. If he wants results, Trump will need to rein in his penchant to go it alone.

U.S. imports from China finished the year strong after some companies stockpiled shipments of apparel, toys, furniture and electronics ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose new tariffs that could revive a trade war between the world's economic superpowers.

China’s economy hit the government’s growth goal last year after an 11th hour stimulus blitz and export boom turbocharged activity, although looming US tariffs threaten to take away a key driver of expansion.

China is the US's biggest customer when it comes to agricultural products. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose steep tariffs on China in his second term. Many farmers in the American heartland worry China's response could break them.

China's economic growth is likely to slow to 4.5% in 2025 and cool further to 4.2% in 2026, a Reuters poll showed, with policymakers poised to roll out fresh stimulus measures to soften the blow from impending U.