China prepares to ease monetary policy as trade tensions with Trump loom

China is preparing to ease its monetary policy for the first time since the 2008-09 financial crisis. This decision follows a meeting led by President Xi Jinping amid concerns over a potential trade conflict with Donald Trump, who is nearing his second term in the U.S. The Politburo announced plans for a "more active" approach to expand domestic demand in 2025, marking a significant shift in policy. This is the first time since 2001 that Chinese authorities have described their fiscal strategy in such terms. China's central bank has maintained a "prudent" monetary policy since 2011, adjusting it as needed. Recent efforts to boost the economy after COVID-19 have not met expectations, prompting this new direction.