"Americans Can't Buy Strollers Without China"... Chinese Social Media Erupts Over US 'Top 10 List' Report

'Top 10 Chinese-Made Products Americans Rely On'
Draws Major Attention on Chinese Online Platforms
"97% of Strollers in the US Are Made in China"

As tensions over the implementation of the 'Geneva Trade Agreement' have reignited the trade war between the United States and China, a report by an American media outlet stating that "Chinese-made products are deeply embedded in the daily lives of Americans" has become a major topic of discussion on Chinese online platforms.

On June 2, the list of the "Top 10 Chinese-Made Products Americans Rely On" ranked first among popular search terms on Baidu, China's largest portal site. This list was compiled by the Chinese online news site 'Guojijiaixian', which reorganized a New York Times (NYT) article published on May 24 (local time) introducing goods that Americans almost entirely import from China amid the ongoing US-China trade war.

A Costco store in the United States. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

The NYT based its analysis on last year's data from the United States International Trade Commission (USITC). The item with the highest share of Chinese imports among US imports was strollers (97%). From foldable models to high-end multifunctional models, the United States relied almost entirely on China for stroller production.

Artificial plants, umbrellas, filing cabinets, and vacuum flasks (96%) also accounted for an overwhelming share. Fireworks reached as high as 95%; Chinese media reported that Chinese-made fireworks, blocked by tariffs, have made it inevitable that next year's 250th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the United States will face disruptions. In addition, 70% of toys and 60% of key components for home appliances in the US market are produced in China. In terms of value, the largest imports were telephones ($5 billion), computers ($3.55 billion), batteries ($1.7 billion), and toys ($1.35 billion), in that order.

Guojijiaixian analyzed that "this shows that 'Made in China' is present throughout the daily lives of Americans." The Chinese blogger 'Lao K' further emphasized that "Chinese products are not just synonymous with good quality and low prices, but are also an indispensable link in the global industrial chain." Another blogger, 'Changxinhaksol', pointed out that "the US government should consider that the United States needs to abandon protectionist thinking and return to rational and practical economic and trade cooperation."