How is the "Greatest Commercial War of Economic History"

Read more on the reaction of US manufacturers to the prospect of higher costs.]

Friday morning, companies like Husco International, a Wisconsin manufacturing company that makes parts for companies like Ford General Motors, Caterpillar and John Deere, are now facing a 25% increase on a variety of parts imported from China. Austin Ramirez, general manager of Husco International, said the increase would immediately put him, and other US manufacturers, at a disadvantage vis-à-vis foreign competitors.

"The people that it helps the most are my competitors in Germany and Japan." The Trump administration drafted its initial tariff schedule to spare consumers, and many of the products that American families are buying to China, such as flat-screen TVs. and the shoes, are not directly affected Friday. But US firms that depend on Chinese products are likely to feel the effects, since tariffs are heavily focused on the type of intermediate inputs and equipment that companies ultimately buy and sell in the United States and Canada. abroad.

[ Read more on how Apple is worried that it will become collateral damage in a trade war with China. ]

Similarly, China has become a key market for brands such as Apple, Nike, Starbucks and General Motors. Consumer boycotts have proven effective in past Beijing disputes with South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. But targeting American products could be more delicate. IPhones, Chevrolets and other products that US companies sell in China are often made in China and by Chinese workers.

In addition, health and hygiene concerns are pushing Chinese consumers to prefer foods imported from the United States. Still, some consumers have said that they could imagine fending off iPhones or American cars to fight back against Washington. "Of course, I want China to fight," said 32-year-old Cathy Yuan, who was shopping at a high-end supermarket in Shanghai on Friday. "We defend our rights as a nation."