Trade War Looming Between India-China, Says Chinese State Media
Doklam Standoff: Chinese media report says China could retaliate with restrictions on Indian products.
A trade war seems to be looming between India and China after New Delhi imposed anti-dumping duties on 93 Chinese products amidst a military standoff in Doklam area, two state media reports said on Monday.
An article in The Global Times, part of the ruling Communist Party’s publication group, urged Chinese firms to reconsider the risks of investing in India and warned New Delhi to be prepared for the possible consequences for its ill-considered action.
The article said that China could easily retaliate with restrictions on Indian products, but added that it doesn't make much economic sense for the country.
The report cited figures from the Indian embassy in China to show that Indian exports fell by 12.3 percent year-on-year to $11.75 billion while India's imports from China rose by 2 percent to $59 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $47 billion.
According to India’s commerce ministry, the trade deficit with China last year mounted to over $52 billion when bilateral trade stood at $70 billion.
A trade war between China and India seems to be looming after the latter moved last Wednesday to impose anti-dumping duties on 93 products from China. If India really starts a trade war with China, of course China’s economic interests will be hurt, but there will also be consequences for India.The Global Times Report
The report on trade comes as India and China have been locked in a tense military standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector.
India has protested the construction of a road by the Chinese military in the area claimed by its ally Bhutan, fearing it would allow Beijing to cut off India's access to its northeastern states.
The Global Times report warned that given the tense bilateral trade ties, China may consider temporarily suspending investment or economic cooperation projects in India to ensure the security of these investments. Another article in China Daily said boycotting Chinese goods would harm India.
Referring to the calls of boycott of Chinese products, the report said the ongoing standoff in Doklam seems to have spilled over into bilateral exchanges.
"Suffice to say, calling for the boycotting of Chinese products and those related to Chinese investors is not just a fool's errand but also risks backfiring," the China Daily article said, adding that the Indian economy that will suffer because of the boycott.
Any attempt to keep Chinese cellphone companies at bay or shut down Chinese-invested factories will hurt the Indian economy and cost Indian jobs, the report said.