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China says GDP grew 5% in 2025, among weakest expansions in decades

China says GDP grew 5% in 2025, among weakest expansions in decades

BREAKINGBREAKING, The world’s second-largest economy grew 4.5 percent in the final quarter, data shows. China’s economy grew 5 percent in 2025, hitting Beijing’s annual target even as it registered one of the weakest expansions in decades, according to official statistics. The Chinese economy grew in line with official expectations despite US President Donald Trump’s trade war, official data showed on Monday, as surging exports helped offset weak consumer spending and a prolonged property downturn. Still, despite shrugging off Trump’s tariffs, growth was still well below the recent historical trend of about 8 percent between 2000 and 2025. The world’s second-largest economy slowed to annualised growth of 4.5 percent in the October-December period, compared with expansions of 4.8 percent year and 5.2 percent, respectively, in the third and second quarters. “Generally speaking, the national economy sustained momentum of steady progress in 2025 despite multiple pressures, and high-quality development registered new achievements,” China’s National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement. “However, we must be aware that the impact of changes in the external environment is growing, the contradiction of strong supply and weak demand in the domestic market is prominent, and the numerous longstanding issues and new challenges still remain in the economic development.” Exports drove the Chinese economy’s expansion, with their total value raising 6.1 percent to 26,989 billion yuan, according to the data. China’s trade surplus reached a record high of nearly $1.2 trillion last year, according to official data, as Chinese firms sought out new markets in Asia, Africa, Latin ⁠America and Europe to mitigate the fallout of Trump’s tariffs. Advertisement Consumption and real estate, both persistent drags on China’s economy in recent years, continued to weigh on growth. Retail sales grew 0.9 percent on a yearly basis in December, the slowest gain since Beijing lifted its ultra-strict COVID-19 controls in late 2022, according to the figures. Fixed-asset investment fell 3.8 percent across the year, with spending on infrastructure and real estate development declining by 2.2 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively. “Today’s GDP read shows that it’s mission accomplished for 2025, as China managed to complete its growth target of around 5 percent,” Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China, told Al Jazeera. “However, growth clearly decelerated in the second half of the year, and now the focus shifts to how to achieve another year of solid growth in 2026 to get the 15th five-year period off to a strong start,” Song added, referring to Beijing’s five-year plan for 2026-2030. Adblock test (Why?)

European leaders slam Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland

European leaders slam Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland

European leaders have condemned United States President Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on countries that resist his bid to take over Greenland, warning the move risks a “dangerous downward spiral” in transatlantic ties. In a joint statement on Sunday, the eight countries targeted by Trump for new tariffs said they “stand in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind,” Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom said in the statement. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.” The rebuke came as European officials were preparing to hold emergency talks on coordinating a response to Trump’s escalating pressure campaign over the future of the vast island. European Council President Antonio Costa said on Sunday that the bloc was united in upholding national sovereignty and to “defend ourselves against any form of coercion” ahead of a planned extraordinary meeting of member states in the coming days. European officials are expected to discuss a range of options for responding to Trump’s economic threats, including retaliatory tariffs and market restrictions for US firms. Advertisement Trump announced on Saturday that the eight countries would face a 10 percent tariff from February 1, rising to 25 percent from June 1, until a deal is reached for the US to buy Greenland. The Financial Times reported that the bloc was considering imposing 93 billion euros ($108bn) worth of tariffs on US goods as well as activating the Anti-Coercion Instrument, commonly known as the “trade bazooka”, adopted by the bloc in 2023. The mechanism, which has never been used, allows for sweeping restrictions on investments and the withdrawal of intellectual property protections for foreign firms in the bloc. “The Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), designed precisely for such cases, must now be used,” German MEP Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said in a post on X. “I call on the European Commission to activate it immediately.” Trump’s insistence on controlling Greenland has plunged US-European relations to their lowest point in decades, prompting fears for the survival of NATO. Trump, who has not ruled out the use of military force to seize the territory, has brushed aside concerns about splitting the 32-member transatlantic alliance, which is built on the principle that an armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all. Trump reiterated his determination for the US to take ownership of Greenland in a social media post early on Monday, claiming that Denmark had been “unable to do anything” about Russian threats to the territory. “Now it is time, and it will be done!!!” Trump said on Truth Social. Denmark has ruled out selling Greenland, and opinion polls suggest the vast majority of the island’s 57,000 residents do not wish to be part of the US. On Saturday, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Danish cities to rally against Trump’s threats, chanting “Greenland is not for sale” and holding banners with slogans such as “Hands off Greenland”. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed appreciation for the “strong support” being offered to her country. “We want to cooperate, and it is not us who are seeking conflict. And I am pleased by the consistent messages from the rest of the continent: Europe will not be blackmailed,” Frederiksen said in a statement on social media. French President Emmanuel Macron said that “no intimidation or threat” would influence his government’s position on Greenland. “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” Macron said on social media. “Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.” Advertisement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump’s planned tariffs “completely wrong”. “We will of course be pursuing this directly with the US administration,” he said on social media. Adblock test (Why?)

Nancy Pelosi faces social media backlash over behavior at Bob Weir tribute event

Nancy Pelosi faces social media backlash over behavior at Bob Weir tribute event

Former House Speaker and self-proclaimed “Deadhead” Nancy Pelosi drew swift online backlash after appearing at a tribute honoring Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, with some social media users accusing her of bizarre behavior.  Thousands gathered Saturday at San Francisco’s Civic Center to celebrate the life of Weir, who died earlier this month at age 78. The event drew longtime “Deadheads,” musicians and political figures, including Pelosi, according to FOX 2.  Pelosi, 85, delivered a speech about Weir and appeared to sing and sway along on stage as musician John Mayer performed the Grateful Dead classic “Ripple.” During portions of her remarks, Pelosi appeared to stumble over her words while reflecting on Weir’s legacy. GRATEFUL DEAD SINGER WHO WORKED WITH ELVIS PRESLEY ON HIT SONG DIES AT 78 AFTER CANCER BATTLE “Bobby Weir was not just a magician, musician – a magician too – he was a force of nature,” Pelosi said at one point.  Pelosi also used the moment to deliver a political message, encouraging attendees to vote. “[Weir] gave me this sign, and I’ll show it today, because I said Bobby really loved democracy, he loved our country,” she said, before holding up a sign reading “vote.” “You know what he wanted everybody to do? Vote!” Pelosi’s demeanor quickly drew online criticism. “Is Nancy Pelosi drunk at the Bob Weir Homecoming?” one user wrote on X.  NANCY PELOSI WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION, ENDING DECADES-LONG HOUSE CAREER Others criticized her wardrobe choice, noting that she wore a bright magenta suit while nearly everyone else on stage appeared to be dressed in all black. “Nancy Pelosi wearing a very somber magenta on stage at Bob Weir’s funeral,” one user joked on X.  Some users also questioned why Pelosi, who announced in November that she will retire from Congress when her current term ends in 2027, was included in the event in the first place. GRATEFUL DEAD LEGEND BOB WEIR DIES AT AGE 78 SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AFTER CANCER BATTLE “Why is [Nancy] Pelosi speaking at this Bob Weir memorial,” one user questioned on X. “My bingo card today didn’t include Nancy Pelosi singing ‘Ripple’ along with John Mayer at the Bobby Weir send off,” another user wrote. The public tribute also featured appearances by folk icon Joan Baez and country singer Wynonna Judd, FOX 2 reported. Weir died on Jan. 10, a statement from his family on his Instagram page confirmed. “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could,” the statement said, adding that he succumbed to lung problems.    Nancy Pelosi could not be immediately reached for comment. Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson contributed to this report.