A New Kind of Global Uproar: The US-China Trade War's Unforeseen Impact on Businesses
Escalating trade war criticisms: Reports indicate increased backlash towards Trump's policies as companies infer U.S. accountability for trade dispute rather than China
Recent turbulence in the US-China trade war is causing jitters for businesses around the world, as many influential leaders question the wisdom of current administrative policies, a revealing survey by the Sandpiper Group suggests.
In a poll conducted in April 2025, spanning 3,050 business leaders across 27 markets, an astounding 73% held the US administration's approach to trade responsible for the ongoing escalation.
This unsettling revelation paints the US in a less favorable light than China, as business leaders sound the alarm on quite a substantial reputation crack for America.
The policy consultancy firm didn't stop there; they also detected a striking 72% of respondents pushing for the US to lead the charge for de-escalation, with a majority of 61% advocating for China to follow suit.
Simon Buckby, the managing director of Sandpiper Government & Public Affairs, cautioned, "It's disconcerting to witness so many global business heads grappling with the latest geopolitical tumult, and their ever-growing fears of potential increased perils for their enterprises in the near, medium, and long terms."
Scarier yet, many of these leaders concede that they don't have the resources necessary for managing these heightened uncertainties. Quite the challenge for business leaders and especially corporate affairs teams to rise and fortify their companies against this imposing storm.
"It's downright alarming that so many of them admit they're ill-equipped to traverse their way through this," Buckby added.
The Sandpiper Group survey illustrates several crucial long-term ramifications for businesses as perceived by these influential leaders:
- Deterioration of the US's Global Standing: A hefty 70% of respondents anticipate the trade war will erode the US's status on the global stage, while 60% expect China's reputation to suffer a blow, though perhaps not as severe.
- Escalating Business Risks: Nearly two-thirds of companies (64%) are concerned that their revenues will take a hit over the next year due to the trade war, adding to the general pessimistic outlook on business growth and stability.
- Calls for De-escalation: There's a strong consensus that the US (72%) and China (61%) should put forth efforts to de-escalate tensions, indicating a desire for a resolution to improve the stagnating trade environment.
Without a doubt, corporate affairs and leadership teams are facing a formidable challenge in safeguarding their organizations amidst these global tensions, with many leaders recognizing their inadequate defense systems.
- The US-China trade war's ongoing escalation, as reported by a survey by the Sandpiper Group, is causing significant concerns for businesses worldwide, with 73% holding the US administration's approach to trade responsible.
- The survey also reveals that a majority of business leaders are advocating for the US and China to lead the charge for de-escalation, with 72% and 61% respectively expressing this opinion.
- Simon Buckby, managing director of Sandpiper Government & Public Affairs, cautions that the trade war is causing global business heads to grapple with increased uncertainties, and many acknowledge they lack the necessary resources to manage them.
- The survey results suggest that the trade war could have long-term ramifications for businesses, including a potential deterioration of the US's global standing (as perceived by 70% of respondents) and an escalation of business risks, with 64% concerned about revenue loss over the next year.
- In addition, the survey indicates a desire for a resolution to improve the stagnating trade environment, as evidenced by the strong consensus among business leaders for de-escalation (72% for the US and 61% for China).
- With many leaders recognizing their inadequate defense systems, corporate affairs and leadership teams are facing a formidable challenge in safeguarding their organizations amidst these global tensions.
