[SMM Watch] in the face of downward pressure on the economy, China still has so many cards to play!

Published: Nov 23, 2018 22:20 (GMT+8)

SMM11, March 23: the trend of the world economy is rolling down, and no one is immune from it. China's economic data for October have all been released, as detailed in the article "October economic data at a glance at the current situation of the Chinese economy." What can China do about it under downward pressure?

Second, as the US continues to raise interest rates and China stands still, there is an increased risk of domestic capital outflows and pressure on falling foreign exchange reserves. Superimposed factors such as financial deleveraging, the liquidity of domestic funds will be obviously tense, and enterprises may have the possibility of breaking the capital chain. Therefore, under this background, the general environment to cut interest rates is the main theme. China has cut the standard three times since the beginning of this year. Interest rates have not changed, and the possibility of interest rate cuts will not be ruled out in the future.

October trade data have obvious export grab phenomenon, foreign demand has not fundamentally improved, on the contrary, continue to decline, under the premise of weak exports, economic development has to rely on their own.

1. Tax reduction and fee reduction

According to data from the World Bank, China's corporate tax burden is as high as 67.3%, which is significantly higher in the world's major economies and has room for substantial decline. At present, the main tax in our country is value-added tax. The characteristic of value-added tax must be that consumers will pay the bill eventually, which is also one of the reasons why all kinds of prices remain high. There are as many as hundreds of fees for enterprises, which can also be greatly reduced to increase corporate profits.

Tax cuts can reduce the costs of enterprises and stimulate the internal momentum of the economy. After enterprises and residents benefit, they can naturally expand consumption. In the early 1980s, as a result of the long-term practice of Keynesianism, the United States fell into serious stagflation. President Reagan implemented a series of policies after taking office, successfully controlling the two major problems of high inflation and high unemployment, and dragging the US economy out of the quagmire. At the heart of Reagan economics is tax cuts.

2. Fixed assets investment

The marginal effect of fixed asset investment has been diminishing in recent years, and fixed asset investment accounted for 77 per cent of GDP in 2017, compared with 61 per cent in 2010.

From January to September this year, infrastructure investment grew by only 3.3 percent compared with the same period last year, down 0.9 percentage points from January to August and 16.5 percentage points from the same period last year, directly dragging down the growth rate of fixed asset investment by 3 percent. It was the culprit for a 0.2 per cent fall in GDP in the third quarter from a month earlier. After infrastructure investment bottomed out in October and local government special debt funds are in place, infrastructure is expected to rebound further. Given that the increase in social finance has been halved, M2 growth rate innovation is low, manufacturing and real estate in the short term there is no bright spot.

3. Control of fiscal expenditure

The government should appropriately control fiscal expenditure, cut off some invalid investments, and ensure that the deficit ratio is within the controllable range, so as to avoid over-reliance on land finance. This is very important, we all know that we have to live within our means, if the debt is too heavy, it will be crushed, and then the tax cuts and fees may be wasted.

4. Help private enterprises

In the future, the problems of private enterprises will be the top priority, private enterprises in the previous situation is quite awkward, but the contribution of 60% of GDP has not been corrected. Recently, President Xi made a remark at the forum of private enterprises to wake up the dreamers. The spring of A shares has not yet arrived, and the spring of private enterprises may not be far away. On the way of China's continued opening up to the outside world, in times of economic difficulties, the more we should unite our own people, the rise and fall of private enterprises will increasingly become the key to the realization of Chinese Dream by the Chinese people. In order to help private enterprises out of difficulties, the government can help private enterprises into the local government assessment system, so as to improve the enthusiasm of local governments.

5. streamline administration and institute decentralization

The government should simplify administration and delegate power, gradually withdraw from the market, and let the market return to the market itself. This is the essence of neo-liberalism. In the past, China was deeply influenced by Keynesianism, and the government intervened too much in the market. After Keynesianism revealed its disadvantages, what the government had to do was to perfect the system construction in the process of gradually withdrawing from the market. After the withdrawal of the government, the market can still function freely, which is not only a test of the desire of the government, but also a test of the level of the government, but also the inevitable requirement of openness.

Scan QR code, apply to join SMM metal exchange group, please indicate company + name + main business

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
2 hours ago
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
Read More
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
India copper producers seek GST cut as record prices raise working-capital burden
Indian copper producers are seeking a GST cut to 5% from 18%, citing rising working-capital requirements amid record-high copper prices.
2 hours ago
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
5 hours ago
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Read More
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Sulphuric Acid Shortage Emerges as a Constraint on Zambia’s Copper Growth
Zambia’s sulphuric acid shortage is becoming a growing constraint on copper production and refining. Jubilee Metals reported acid costs rising by more than 200% in Q4 FY2026, while Sable cathode output fell to 250 t from 361 t in Q3. Government data also showed small-scale copper production down 35.2% YoY in H1 2026, highlighting the sector’s exposure to tight acid availability and higher processing costs.
5 hours ago
Selkirk Copper Targets H2 2028 Restart of Minto Mine Following Positive PEA
7 hours ago
Selkirk Copper Targets H2 2028 Restart of Minto Mine Following Positive PEA
Read More
Selkirk Copper Targets H2 2028 Restart of Minto Mine Following Positive PEA
Selkirk Copper Targets H2 2028 Restart of Minto Mine Following Positive PEA
Selkirk Copper Mines has outlined a potential restart of the past-producing Minto copper-gold-silver mine in Yukon, Canada, following the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) that supports first concentrate production in the second half of 2028.​ The PEA outlines a 13-year mine life based on combined open-pit and underground mining, with operations designed around an average mining and milling rate of 4,100 mt/day. At peak production, the project is expected to produce approximately 27,200 mt/year of copper-equivalent contained in concentrate, equivalent to around 48,700 mt/year of high-grade copper-gold-silver concentrate.​ Initial capital required to re-establish production is estimated at C$186 million. Using the study's planning prices of US$5.00/lb copper, US$3,600/oz gold and US$50/oz silver, the PEA estimates an after-tax NPV at a 7% discount rate of C$494 million, an after-tax IRR of 47.8% and a payback period of approximately 1.9 years from first production.​ Minto benefits from substantial existing infrastructure from its previous operations, including a 4,100 mt/day processing plant as well as existing open-pit and underground infrastructure. Selkirk Copper said assessments of the site's existing infrastructure and equipment found that the majority remains in good working order and requires only minor attention and refurbishment.​ The company is targeting first concentrate production in H2 2028, followed by full ramp-up of mining, milling and concentrate production by H1 2029. A feasibility study is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026, while amended permit applications are also expected to be submitted during the fourth quarter. Selkirk Copper said a restart decision is targeted following completion of the feasibility study and receipt of permit amendments in H2 2027.​ The Minto PEA outlines a potential pathway for a previously producing copper operation to return to the market by 2028, supported by existing processing and mining infrastructure that could reduce the capital and construction requirements compared with a greenfield project. However, the 27,200 mt/year peak production figure represents copper-equivalent contained in concentrate rather than contained copper alone. The restart also remains subject to further feasibility work, permitting and project execution, making progress toward a restart decision in H2 2027 an important milestone to watch.
7 hours ago