January 2025 | Unlike a year ago, when we described the policy stance as complacently passive, Chinese leadership has now eliminated all ambiguity. It is explicitly advocating for unconventional policies that include monetary easing and a more expansionary fiscal policy. This pivot is probably triggered by an atypical systemic crisis, where local governments were tight on money, struggling to pay corporates, banks and civil servants. Additionally, the election of Donald Trump as US president further seals the deal for such a shift. As a result of this newfound clarity in leadership, we expect a series of measures aimed at stabilizing the economy.
01 | China's leadership explicitly advocates for unconventional policies that include monetary easing and a more expansionary fiscal policy. However, we believe these policies will not offset the existing structural drags and US tariff impacts completely.
02 | In the case of aggressive US trade protectionism and export controls, China should keep its expansionary fiscal stance for longer than currently expected.
03 | Chinese equity will be influenced by the incoming Trump administration's foreign policy, while additional stimulus could support Chinese markets, particularly domestic stocks. We maintain a neutral stance favoring domestic markets.
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