Protests have erupted across China as workers express their frustrations over unpaid wages, linked to President Donald Trump’s hefty 145% tariff on Chinese goods. In Suining, a city in Sichuan province, factory workers took to the streets demanding their back pay. Many claim they have not received their salaries since the start of the year. Similar unrest has been reported at Guangxin Sports Goods in Hunan province, where hundreds of employees went on strike after the factory closed without paying wages or providing Social Security benefits. In Inner Mongolia, construction workers threatened drastic actions if their overdue wages were not paid.
The protests highlight the struggles within Chinese manufacturing as the government responds to the impact of the tariffs. Recent data shows that new export orders have hit their lowest point since the COVID pandemic, and the manufacturing sector is facing significant job losses. The National Bureau of Statistics in China attributes this decline to “sharp changes in the external environment,” emphasizing that trade wars yield no winners.
Goldman Sachs estimates that around 16 million jobs in various Chinese industries are at risk due to the tariffs. In a bid to alleviate some of the economic strain, China recently exempted approximately $40 billion worth of U.S. imports from its retaliatory tariffs.
Despite ongoing discussions behind the scenes, there have been no formal trade negotiations between the U.S. and China. President Trump mentioned that he might lower tariffs at some point, indicating that China is eager to engage in business. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked that the trade war is unsustainable for China, suggesting that the country may soon be willing to negotiate.
China’s Commerce Ministry stated it is considering the U.S. offer for talks but insists that negotiations will only proceed if the Trump administration lifts the tariffs on Chinese goods. As the situation develops, workers across China continue to voice their concerns, highlighting the human impact of the ongoing trade conflict.