China May Use Cybersecurity Standards Against US Tariffs

An expert recently commented that China may use cybersecurity standards to retaliate against Washington’s tariffs, a move likely to affect American companies.

The standards, which are technically voluntary government issued guidelines, are often treated as mandatory by Chinese partners of foreign firms. It is said that the hundreds of national standards issued by Beijing over the past several years are making it increasingly difficult for firms to thrive in the country’s market.    

Experts add that the standards, unlike tariffs, are less likely to be relaxed after the Sino-US trade war blows over because of President Xi Jinping’s efforts to increase the country’s cyber power.

Source: CNBC