Trump announced global tariffs at the White House, with China's total tariff rate reaching 54%. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP)
After US President Trump announced a 34% tariff increase on Chinese goods, China's People's Daily published articles for three consecutive days, severely criticizing the US's unilateral policy of abusing reciprocal tariffs and saying that "the sky will not fall." According to a person in charge of a company in Guangdong engaged in trade with the United States, in the face of high tariffs, they have suspended accepting orders from the United States and are waiting to see subsequent developments.
President Trump announced last week that he would impose a 34% tariff on Chinese goods, which, together with the previous 20%, brings the cumulative tariff increase to 54%. This has caused China to press the pause button on trade with the United States. Ms. Gong, head of a Guangzhou company that exports electronic products such as Bluetooth headsets, said in an interview with Radio Free Asia on Monday (7th) that most of Guangdong's trading companies with the United States have stopped accepting US orders due to tariff barriers.
She said: "I had dinner with an industry insider yesterday. Their products were previously exported from Vietnam to the United States, but now they are basically not accepting many orders. They have stopped and are not doing it anymore. They are waiting to see how serious the situation will develop. At present, we know that Guangzhou and Guangdong (foreign trade companies) are not accepting orders for the time being."
Ms. Gong also said that a Hong Kong company near her had just moved its factory to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and was currently recruiting local employees. However, the United States suddenly imposed high tariffs, causing the factory to fall into trouble: "