Reasons to Read

This report looks as the latest economic data from the US and China, showing how the cumulative effects of the trade dispute between the two countries—followed by a virus outbreak that remains ongoing—put downward pressure on both economies.

• US GDP growth has rebounded from its trough in 4Q18, and growth has levelled off.
• China’s GDP growth has been moderating in recent years, but in 2019 it took a hit from trade tensions. Now, China’s economy faces the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
• If the outbreak is contained by the end of February, we expect it will shave around two points off first-quarter growth.