# The International Monetary Fund now believes China’s economy will only grow by four percent this year, well below Beijing’s official target off five-percent as it fights a mounting trade war with the United States. Also contributing to downward pressure on growth are a persistent crisis in the property sector, local government debt and sluggish consumer spending. The figure, which was published in the fund’s latest World Economic Outlook report, is slower than the 4.6-percent expansion the IMF predicted for China in January.
IMF lowers growth forecast for China in 2025