LONDON, Aug 22 Reuters Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday as investors stay sour on China39;s economic prospects and demand from the world39;s top crude importer, limiting the impact of supply cuts.

Brent crude was down 43 cents at 84.03 a barrel by 0816 GMT, while the more active U.S. West Texas Intermediate October contract slipped 37 cents to 79.95 a barrel.

The frontmonth WTI contract that expires shortly was down 24 cents at 80.48 a barrel on a very limited volume of trades.

China, the world39;s secondlargest economy, is seen as key to shoring up oil demand over the rest of the year.

But the country39;s sluggish economic activity has frustrated markets after a postCOVID reopening boost, while authorities39; pledges to aid recovery have so far fallen short of expectations, including a smallerthanexpected cut in a key lending benchmark on Monday.

China39;s economic weakness … will create a ceiling for them this year, especially as Beijing appears committed to avoiding largescale fiscal stimulus, Eurasia Group said in a note.

Amplifying demand concerns is the possibility of another rate hike in the United States, the world39;s biggest oil consumer, which central bank officials have not ruled out given persistent inflation.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is expected to continue to draw down stocks. A preliminary Reuters poll showed crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, with data from American Petroleum Institute due later on…