ZCZC
BCN-05
CHINA-US-TRADE
US companies in China say tariffs are hurting: survey
BEIJING, Sept 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The majority of American companies in
China say they are hurting from the escalating US-China trade spat, reporting
increased costs, lower profits and stepped up scrutiny, a survey showed
Thursday.
The survey, carried out by the American Chamber of Commerce in China,
polled more than 430 US companies operating in the country, with most in the
manufacturing sector.
Donald Trump’s first round of tariffs, hitting $50 billion in Chinese
goods and drawing dollar-for-dollar retaliation from Beijing, negatively
impacted 60 percent of firms, with the US president’s looming $200-billion
round expected to hurt three-quarters, according to the poll.
Officials in Washington reportedly proposed a fresh round of trade talks
with Beijing before those tariffs kick in, according to US media reports
Wednesday.
The White House believes China will wave the white flag after the next
round of tariffs on $200 billion in goods, said William Zarit, the chamber’s
chairman.
“But that scenario risks underestimating China’s capability to continue
meeting fire with fire,” he said.
US companies are particularly worried about the “qualitative measures”
Beijing has threatened to take as it becomes unable to respond dollar-for-
dollar to the next wave of tariffs — goods imports last year from the US
totalled only $130 billion.
A majority of firms say they are already feeling Beijing’s wrath,
reporting increased inspections and regulatory scrutiny as well as slower
customs clearance.
BSS/AFP/HR/0912