Growth of China’s economy is slowing as China remains embattled in trade renegotiation with the United States. China's National Bureau of Statistics reported China's gross domestic product grew at 6.2 percent in the second quarter of 2019, the slowest rate since 1992. China says its economy continues to face "downward pressure."
The report, however, purports to claim China's agricultural production was "sound." The value added of crop farming grew by 3.9 percent year on year, 0.5 slower than the first quarter. The overall output of summer grain was 141.74 million metric tons, an increase of 2.93 million over last year, up by 2.1 percent.
China says it's soybeans and cotton plantings increased, while livestock production was down 2.1 percent. China is buying less U.S. soybeans and is using the newly enacted tariffs as an excuse despite falling demand due to African Swing Fever in the hog herd. Both sides agreed to reopen trade talks last month and U.S. officials will soon travel to China.