First Canton Fair Amid Trade Tensions Sees Drop in U.S. Orders
18 April 2025 路 Uncategorized 路
The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), often considered a barometer of the country's foreign trade, opened on October 15th. This marks the first such exhibition held by China since President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs.
The 137th Canton Fair commenced with over 170,000 overseas buyers registered to attend鈥攁pproximately ten percent from America and Europe, compared to twenty percent at last November鈥檚 fair. The event is Guangzhou's largest twice-yearly trade exhibition, featuring more than thirty thousand exhibitors.
According to a report by Reuters today, Li (a marketing manager for a medical equipment manufacturer) stated that her company has lost all U.S. orders since President Trump announced 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. "This is life and death because sixty percent of our business comes from American clients," she said, expressing concerns about potential layoffs due to the difficulty in finding new markets quickly.
Several exporters reported delays or cancellations in their U.S. orders鈥攐rders that are vital for them. A sales representative at a Shenzhen environmental technology company noted that while transactions with the US market have frozen, European sales continue to increase.
The report also highlighted plans by many manufacturers to relocate production bases out of China and diversify markets away from the United States. Some companies had previously considered moving manufacturing lines to Vietnam or the Philippines last year in an attempt to avoid U.S. tariffs; however, these efforts have been put on hold due to potential high tariffs elsewhere.
The 137th Canton Fair commenced with over 170,000 overseas buyers registered to attend鈥攁pproximately ten percent from America and Europe, compared to twenty percent at last November鈥檚 fair. The event is Guangzhou's largest twice-yearly trade exhibition, featuring more than thirty thousand exhibitors.
According to a report by Reuters today, Li (a marketing manager for a medical equipment manufacturer) stated that her company has lost all U.S. orders since President Trump announced 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. "This is life and death because sixty percent of our business comes from American clients," she said, expressing concerns about potential layoffs due to the difficulty in finding new markets quickly.
Several exporters reported delays or cancellations in their U.S. orders鈥攐rders that are vital for them. A sales representative at a Shenzhen environmental technology company noted that while transactions with the US market have frozen, European sales continue to increase.
The report also highlighted plans by many manufacturers to relocate production bases out of China and diversify markets away from the United States. Some companies had previously considered moving manufacturing lines to Vietnam or the Philippines last year in an attempt to avoid U.S. tariffs; however, these efforts have been put on hold due to potential high tariffs elsewhere.