FLOUTING the common belief that Sino-US trade relations are heading for a rough ride, US retail giant Ben Franklin yesterday signed up a local agency in a move to beef up imports from the mainland.
Ben Franklin, the biggest chain of craft stores in the US with total sales of US$1 billion last year, has appointed Elite Enterprises - part of the privately-owned Genuine Ocean (Holdings) Company - to mastermind its buying in the Asia-Pacific region.
President and chief executive officer Dale Ward said some 65 per cent of total exports already came from China, including artificial flowers and baskets, Christmas trinkets, toys, houseware and outdoor furniture.
Around half of total Ben Franklin merchandise is made outside the US.
Mr Ward anticipates a surge up the league table for the mainland, currently the fifth-biggest supplier and seventh-biggest trading partner to the US, as the American economy moves into recovery.
He said: ''I am very hopeful the US will move quickly for MFN [Most Favoured Nation status]. I think the average American citizen realises the need in our economy to open doors more to China trade.