China’s exporters on edge as trade war casts shadow over Canton Fair

When fabric exporter Xie Jun registered early for the Canton Fair, he had high hopes for finding more clients – particularly those from overseas – at China’s oldest and largest trade expo. But the seemingly endless back-and-forth between Beijing and Washington, with one tariff increase after another, has left him deflated. “I want to know if others are feeling the same level of confusion and panic,” he said.

“And I want to hear what Plan Bs others are considering.” The three-week spring session of the Canton Fair, set to commence on Tuesday in the southern city of Guangzhou, is widely viewed as a barometer for the health of China’s foreign trade..