How the US-China trade war will hit Singapore

Supply chain disruption, higher prices, slowdown in hiring among possible effects

Mr David Low, chief executive of Futuristic Store Fixtures, says if his firm had factories only in China, the trade war would have been a disaster. He will be moving more production work to the firm's factories in Malaysia.
Mr David Low, chief executive of Futuristic Store Fixtures, says if his firm had factories only in China, the trade war would have been a disaster. He will be moving more production work to the firm's factories in Malaysia. ST FILE PHOTO
Fixtures made at Futuristic Store Fixtures' factory in Kunshan, in China, will face tariffs when shipped to clients in the US.
Fixtures made at Futuristic Store Fixtures' factory in Kunshan, in China, will face tariffs when shipped to clients in the US. PHOTO: FUTURISTIC STORE FIXTURES
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Mr David Low is glad he hedged his bets - otherwise the US-China trade war would have spelt disaster for his Singapore-based company.

He has factories in Kunshan, China, supplying retail shop fixtures such as shelves and hanging bars to brands such as Victoria's Secret. Luckily, he has factories in Malaysia, too.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 23, 2019, with the headline How the US-China trade war will hit Singapore. Subscribe