China import expo expects more US firms to participate this year in Shanghai despite trade war

The second edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) will take place in Shanghai between November 5-10

Chinese imports of products from the United States fell to US$58.923 billion in the first half of 2019, down 29.9 per cent compared to a year earlier

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During the first China International Import Expo, which attracted more than 3,600 companies from 172 countries, regions and international organisations, Chinese firms signed import deals worth more than US$57.83 billion, according to official data. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00pm, 26 Jul 2019Updated: 10:53pm, 26 Jul 2019

A larger number of companies from the United States will participate in the government-backed China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November despite the ongoing trade war, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

The import fair, which made its debut last year, is part of China’s campaign to attract foreign investors and companies by showing that China is keen to buy more goods and services from abroad.

“US exhibitors will take a more active part this year,” said assistant minister of commerce Ren Hongbin with 100 days to go until the second China International Import Expo (CIIE).

“That shows the Chinese market is still highly attractive for local and foreign enterprises, including US ones. The [trade] friction between the two countries cannot stop American companies paying attention to and having passion for the Chinese market.”

The [trade] friction between the two countries cannot stop American companies paying attention to and having passion for the Chinese market

Ren Hongbin

China and the US will resume face-to-face trade negotiations next week in Shanghai, the Chinese commercial and financial centre where the second CIIE will take place from November 5-10.

Ren, though, did not make a specific estimation about the number of US exhibitors, only saying only that their display area would be 35 per cent larger than last year when more than 170 US companies took part despite Washington refusing to send any senior government officials after the start of the tit-for-tat tariff battle.

Chinese imports of US products fell to US$58.923 billion in the first half of 2019, down 29.9 per cent compared to a year earlier, according to Chinese customs data.