ADVERTISEMENT

China Bank Boost, Xi Defends China Model, U.S. Consumer

China Bank Boost, Xi Defends China Model, U.S. Consumer

(Bloomberg) -- Welcome to Thursday and Happy New Year, Asia. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help you start the day:

  • China’s central bank is boosting the supply of cheap funding to banks by cutting reserve requirements, a bid to put a floor under 2020 economic growth; here’s the Bloomberg Economics take on the move
  • Deal on. The U.S.-Japan trade deal took effect Wednesday, cutting tariffs on some agricultural products and industrial goods
  • Winning strategy. President Xi Jinping defended China’s system for running Hong Kong in a confident New year’s Eve address
  • Mixed sentiment. U.S. consumer confidence stayed lukewarm through year’s end and probably will show a tepid shopping season, Bloomberg Economics analysis shows

To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Singapore at mjamrisko@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nasreen Seria at nseria@bloomberg.net, Michael S. Arnold

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.