China-US Trade Frictions: US farmers and business groups worry about possible losses

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American farmers and business groups are critical of the escalating tariffs, despite reassurances by the US government. CGTN White House Correspondent Jessica Stone reports.

American farms and businesses-set to be affected by Washington's new round of proposed tariffs against Beijing - are taking the Trump administration to task.

DAVE SALMONSEN AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION "There's no end date on these things. They can end at any point. If that happens, the damage may not be so bad. But, if they go on for months and months, the cost could be higher."

Farm goods - once a bright spot in the China-US trade relationship - are among the hardest hit. American pork, beef, soy and corn-just four of the products slapped with the 25 percent tax.

Wednesday, US Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Missouri and Iowa to reassure farmers.

And from Brussels, Trump tweeted that "he's fighting for a level playing field for our farmers."

China's Ministry of Commerce has called the tariff threat "totally unacceptable" and vowed to retaliate.

One option - China could limit market access for major US companies.

At risk, Apple and Intel-two of the 16 US companies that made 23 percent of their total revenues in the Chinese market last year, according to a Jefferies Financial Group analysis.

In 2017, China was GM's largest retail market for the sixth consecutive year.

The Information Technology Industry Council - a Silicon Valley advocacy group - said, quote: "The administration continues to impose more tariffs without a clear objective or end in sight, threatening American jobs, stifling economic investment, and increasing the prices of everyday goods."

JESSICA STONE WHITE HOUSE "There's a lot of pressure on American lawmakers to curb President Trump's ability to implement these tariffs. On Wednesday, Senators in the president's own party introduced a bill to do that. Jessica Stone , CGTN, WASHINGTON."