I have no issues with you regarding their analysis. There are too many factors that affect our GDP.
However, the fact is still something we cannot avoid — the GDP for 2017 was 2.6% officially.
Whether that figure is accurate or not is subject to discussion. However, we cannot say that they did not cite their source.
So at the risk of ad nausem, but here on FR seems to need to be repeated, “We need to post an article from a source we know to be at least reasonably reliable so we can reasonably rely on the facts, analysis, and evaluation of those facts presented.”