Economists upgrade 2025 outlook after Q2 GDP turns out better than expected
Front-loading of exports and manufacturing before end of 90-day pause in US tariffs boosted Q2; slowdown in H2 expected as effect fades
[SINGAPORE] Several economists have raised their full-year economic outlook after advance estimates of second-quarter gross domestic product beat market expectations amid the 90-day pause in US retaliatory tariffs.
This is even as they expect GDP to slow in the second half of 2025, as the boost from the front-loading of economic activities fades.
Most economists’ forecasts are now at or higher than the upper bound of the official forecast range of “0 to 2 per cent”, which the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) set in April, shortly after US President Donald Trump unleashed his “Liberation Day” tariffs.
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