Oil prices steady as declining US inventories offset slowing China demand

Oil prices steady; Brent at $83.69, WTI at $80.72. China's demand vs. U.S. stockpile drawdown. U.S. crude fell 4.4 million barrels (API), steady retail data, and geopolitical risks limiting declines. Yemen's Houthis attacked a Liberia-flagged tanker (JMIC). Analysts projected stocks to drop by 33,000 barrels. U.S. retail data, stronger dollar, solid economy. China's slowest growth since Q1 2023.