The global economy remains strong and should continue on that pace for the rest of the year, but trade tensions represent an increased risk to growth, according to The Conference Board. For China, the Conference Board uses a methodology different from China's National Bureau of Statistics to determine mainland gross domestic product, or GDP. The Chinese government aims for annual GDP growth of about 6.5 percent, using its measures. However, the economic horizon is not without clouds, and trade represents the biggest unknown, said Bart van Ark, the board's chief economist. Financial markets are indicating a return to what van Ark called "the old normal" of rising wages, inflation and interest rates.