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While US President Donald Trump has gained international attention and widespread condemnation for proposing tariffs on Chinese exports, American state and city officials are still making efforts to boost their ties with China.
A recent report by Bloomberg saw various state governors, city mayors and other officials vow to continue working with partners in China, despite Trump’s apparent determination to slap 50 billion US dollars’ worth of tariffs on the country.
Mike Preston, executive director of the economic development body representing the state of Arkansas, told Bloomberg that he and other state officials were “not shy about talking about our relationship with China.”
The mayor of California’s West Sacramento, Christopher Cabaldon, backed that stance in Bloomberg’s report, saying “cities and mayors have an important role to play in keeping America open to business and attracting investments that inject dollars and energy and jobs.”
The Rhodium Group reported in a study last year that China pumped 109.5 billion US dollars into the US between 2000 and 2016, while 80,000 jobs were created between 2000 and 2014 as a result of Chinese investment.
However, 2017 saw Chinese investment in the US fall by 35 percent compared to the year before, and if Trump sticks to his proposed tariffs and barriers to Chinese investment, that amount is set to fall further still in 2018.
As Bloomberg reports, state governors and city mayors remain determined to attract Chinese investment, no matter what decisions take place in the White House.
In Arkansas last year, Chinese textiles company Shandong Ruyi announced it would be opening a factory in the state, creating 800 new jobs. In a show of support for the investment, the state will offer the company tax relief and cash rebates.
According to Bloomberg, Arkansas – which has some of the US’ lowest income levels – has seen Chinese investment grow from zero to two billion US dollars since 2015.
(CGTN)
