China Could Target U.S. Firms if Trump Levies Tariffs, Group Warns
BEIJING — Chinese officials have warned that they will retaliate against American companies if President Trump imposes tariffs
on China, an American business group said on Tuesday, with airplanes and agricultural products among the likely targets.
Chinese officials have told American business representatives
that they are prepared to push back, said William Zarit, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.
“From the Chinese government’s perspective, I think it would be likely
that it would target sectors that have political resonance in the United States,” he said.
China could also consider initiating antidumping investigations of American imports of other products, contending
that they are sold below their fair value and subsidized by the United States, Mr. Ross said.
“And the producers are predominantly in states which voted for President Trump.”
He noted that Boeing, the aircraft maker, would be “another obvious example” of a company
that could be in Beijing’s cross-hairs if the Trump administration imposes trade sanctions against China.
Chinese officials were not specific on what form of retaliation Beijing would take, Mr. Zarit said.
If China does strike back, the two biggest likely targets would be the agriculture
and aircraft industries, said Lester Ross, chairman of AmCham China’s policy committee.
