From slow-cookers to towel warmers, China-made goods for US market now stuck in warehouses
Several companies at the recent Canton Fair in Guangzhou said American customers had suspended orders and shipments. ST PHOTO: JOYCE ZK LIM
– At the factory in eastern China where Mr Sean Gu's company makes slow cookers, just one production line is running.
It is a far cry from the average of five lines – or more than 10 on a good day – that it had been operating before the US hiked tariffs on Chinese imports by 145 per cent in 2025.
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He said the best-case scenario for China is a swift de-escalation that avoids direct US-Iran confrontation, preserves the existing regional order in which Beijing feels increasingly comfortable, and enables it to continue balancing relations with Iran, the Gulf and Israel. 'China may also seek to present itself as playing a role in any renewed nuclear agreement, even if only symbolically, especially if this comes at the expense of US influence in the region,' said Dr Afterman. Lim Min Zhang is China correspondent at The Straits Times. He has an interest in Chinese politics, technology, defence and foreign policies. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.