China’s Communist Party leaders have prioritised boosting domestic consumption during their recent meeting in Beijing.

President Xi Jinping led the discussions, where officials agreed to larger budget deficits, increased borrowing, and lower interest rates, as reported by state media.

Consumer spending has been hampered by a collapsing real estate market, which significantly affects household wealth.

These decisions indicate Beijing’s readiness to adopt aggressive measures to stimulate spending, following efforts that began in September to address weak demand and growth.

The meeting highlighted the importance of sustaining economic growth and stability in employment and prices for the coming year, with a focus on enhancing consumption.

Specific policies

While the meeting conveyed a supportive stance on growth, specific policies were not detailed.

Economist Larry Hu noted that direct cash aid to consumers is unlikely; instead, the government will likely increase public spending to boost overall demand.

Following the meeting, Chinese stock futures declined, reflecting market uncertainty.

This conference is typically used to outline priorities for policy changes and upcoming budget announcements.

Earlier, the Politburo acknowledged the need for a stronger economic approach, signaling a willingness to lower interest rates.

Financial strain

China has faced challenges this year with sluggish growth and declining prices, leading to consumer reluctance and local governments facing financial difficulties.

Experts believe the government needs to enhance support to restore consumer confidence.

Since September, the government has initiated large-scale measures to stimulate spending but may not significantly shift from its state-led growth focus.

A new cryptocurrency venture by Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff has partnered with Tron, a platform criticised for ties to Iran-supported militant groups.

World Liberty Financial, co-founded by Witkoff, raises ethical concerns among experts due to this partnership.

Tron is noted for its speed and low fees and has been linked to crypto transfers involving designated terrorist organizations, according to financial crime experts.

The platform’s founder, Justin Sun, is set to advise the Trump-Witkoff venture after Tron’s $30 million investment in World Liberty.

Israeli authorities have frequently associated Tron with militant funding, highlighting the freeze of numerous Tron wallets tied to terrorist activities.

Crypto advocate

Concerns about potential conflicts of interest and ethics surround Trump’s financial ties to World Liberty, where he is listed as a “chief crypto advocate” and is entitled to a share of revenues.

Experts worry that Witkoff’s financial stake may influence U.S. policy, despite plans for a blind trust.

Witkoff’s appointment as envoy comes as the region faces rising tensions, raising further scrutiny of his dual roles in business and government.

The role of special envoy does not needed Senate confirmation, potentially allowing Witkoff to accept outside income while serving, which complicates oversight.

Experts say that strict boundaries should exist between his diplomatic responsibilities and personal financial interests.

U.S. small-business confidence reached its highest point in nearly 3-1/2 years in November, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index increased by 8.0 points to 101.7, marking the highest level since June 2021.

This surge followed the recent elections, which saw Donald Trump winning the presidential race and the Republican Party gaining control of Congress.

Small business owners, who typically lean Republican, showed increased confidence, a trend anticipated by economists.

Other sentiment surveys also reported improvements in consumer confidence post-election.

Economic improvement

The percentage of small business owners expecting economic improvement rose significantly, indicating a shift in outlook.

More owners believe now is a good time to expand their business, with expectations for higher sales growth increasing. Concerns about inflation slightly lessened, as fewer owners cited it as their primary issue.

Additionally, the uncertainty index for small businesses dropped, reflecting increased stability in economic expectations.

Despite ongoing labor shortages in various sectors, the number of businesses planning to hire rose to the highest level in a year.

Compensation for employees saw an uptick; 32% of owners reported increases, while a notable percentage plans further raises in the coming months.