what we think

On 10 April 2018, BNR News Radio interviewed R&P’s Rogier van Bijnen on live radio about the looming trade war between China and the U.S. and the implications for Western businesses in China. Rogier explained that this trade war will probably have limited effect, whether positive or negative, on European companies that are already doing business in China. Although China promised to open up certain sectors to foreign investment in response to threats from the U.S., Rogier does not believe this will bring immediate benefits to foreign companies in general, since in most industries that will open up Chinese domestic players are mature and already hold significant market shares. When the interviewer suggested that foreign businesses may shy away from China, Rogier replied that China is too big of a market for foreign companies to ignore. He does, however, notice that foreign companies feel increased scrutiny with respect to compliance in China, and they have come to understand that cutting corners is no longer a realistic option in China.

The complete interview (in Dutch) can be heard at

https://www.bnr.nl/player/archief/20180410083945300