The Wider Image: Trade tensions with U.S. testing Chinese consumers
Guo Qingshan delights in riding his 400,000 yuan ($63,839) Harley-Davidson motorbike around Beijing's suburbs. However, Guo has his limits. Deteriorating trade ties between the United States and China could mean American imports, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles, could be much more expensive in the future as the two countries trade tit-for-tat tax hikes on each other's goods. If prices rise, Guo said he wouldn't contemplate buying another Harley. Since entering office, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a hard line on trade. Last month, the world's biggest economy said it would impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from most trading partners, including China. In response, China slapped additional import taxes on 128 U.S. products, including frozen pork and wine. Soon after, it said it was considering additional duties on 106 U.S. imports, though it has not said when the new tariffs could kick in. U.S. goods in the crossfire range from soybeans, cotton, autos and auto parts, to whiskey and particular varieties of wheat, with their value totalling $50 billion. The tensions are already affecting consumers in China. REUTERS/Thomas Peter SEARCH "TRADE PRODUCTS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: USA-TRADE/CHINA-PRODUCTS
