BEIJING — Chinese exporters were scrambling Monday to cope with a plunge in U.S. sales while China's state press shrugged off the effect of Washington's tariff increases in a spiraling technology dispute.
The effect of Friday's tariff hikes on the world's second-largest economy should be limited, according to private sector analysts. But President Donald Trump's measures targeting Chinese medical, construction and factory equipment hit exporters that say price-conscious American customers have stopped buying.
The general manager of a medical device exporter that makes 15 to 20 percent of its sales to the United States said he plans to fly there this week to negotiate with customers who stopped ordering its syringes and other equipment.
Wuxi Yushou Medical Devices Co., Ltd., with a workforce of 500, stands to lose $4.5 to $6 million in annual revenue, according to the manager, Miao Liping.
Without new orders, "I will suspend making the products," said Miao. "It is not easy for us to compete with low-end products in other countries."
Other exporters of goods from kitchen appliances and lighting to toys and tools have reported similar drops in U.S. orders.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.