Trump's trade war: Will Kazakhstan become a new platform for Chinese goods
Tengrinews.kz – Kairat Torebayev, Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was asked how the trade war between China and the United States could affect Kazakhstan.
The question was asked to the vice minister by journalists on the sidelines of the plenary session of the Mazhilis on February 5.
"Yes, there are certain concerns that a trade war will unfold. We have calculated these scenarios. There was a question about the dominance of Chinese goods due to the fact that the American market will close. The answer is that China produces a very large number of different goods and the demand for Chinese goods in America differs from the demand in Kazakhstan. That is, preferences differ. Therefore, such dominance is not expected," Torebayev said, answering journalists' questions.
According to the vice minister, many Chinese enterprises work exclusively for the American market, where purchasing power is much higher than in Kazakhstan.
"There is a demand for goods of a different nature there. The redistribution of such goods to the Kazakhstan market is quite difficult. Because they must undergo new certification, registration, and so on. This complicates their redistribution. There are certain barriers that Chinese manufacturers will need to overcome. Secondly, the question is whether there will be demand for such goods in Kazakhstan," concluded Torebayev.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump signed a decree introducing duties on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. He introduced a 25% duty on Canadian goods and a 10% duty on Canadian energy resources. Tariffs will also be 25% on imports from Mexico and 10% on goods from China. Canada, China, and Mexico announced that they would take retaliatory measures to the US decision.
Later, the US postponed the introduction of duties on goods from Canada and Mexico, but the measures against China remained in force.
Previously, Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the country from the United Nations Human Rights Council.