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China has another lever to pull in showdown with Trump: Factory lines
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An employee working on the production line of polyethylene pipes at a factory in Suqian, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, on Oct 21.
PHOTO: AFP
Alexandra Stevenson
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YIWU, China – With trade hostilities between the world’s two economic superpowers back on, China has sent the unmistakable message that it is ready to fight. A week ago, it invoked its grip over almost the entire world’s supply of critical materials, breaking a delicate trade detente between the two countries.
Beijing feels it has another ace card: its booming factories. Even in the face of sky-high tariffs by US President Donald Trump, China’s manufacturing sector is helping to maintain growth and give Chinese President Xi Jinping a stronger hand to face down the US.
