China industrial output tops f39;cast, retail sales growth slows
Mixed data underline economic fragility as domestic demand still weak
Raises pressure for more stimulus amid U.S. tariff threats

BEIJING, Dec 16 Reuters China39;s industrial output growth quickened slightly in November, while retail sales disappointed, keeping alive calls for Beijing to ramp up consumerfocused stimulus as policymakers brace for more U.S. trade tariffs under a second Trump administration.

The mixed data underline how challenging it will be for China39;s leaders to mount a durable economic recovery heading into 2025, when trade relations with China39;s biggest export market could worsen while domestic consumption also stays weak.

U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump39;s vow to impose tariffs exceeding 60 on Chinese goods could push Beijing to accelerate plans to rebalance its 19 trillion economy, analysts said. This comes after over two decades of deliberation on transitioning from the current growth model focused on fixedasset investment and exports to a consumptiondriven one.

China39;s industrial output in November grew 5.4 from a year earlier, faster than the 5.3 pace seen in October, data from the National Bureau of Statistics NBS showed on Monday, beating expectations for a 5.3 increase in a Reuters poll.

However, retail sales, a gauge of consumption, grew at its weakest pace in three months at 3.0 last month, much slower than a 4.8 rise seen in October. Analysts had predicted a 4.6…