国内英语资讯:Xinhua Headlines: Marathon hearings shed light on U.S. tariff harm, cherished ties with Chin_时事

国内英语资讯:Xinhua Headlines: Marathon hearings shed light on U.S. tariff harm, cherished ties with Chin

WASHINGTON, June 25 -- A cash bonanza seems stuck in limbo for Powercharge, a North Carolina-based lithium-ion cell phone accessory company, as proposed additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods loom on the horizon.

A disturbing 25-percent tariff, if it happens, would stifle a potential deal, said Brett Portaro, co-founder of the start-up. It just had received a verbal commitment to its first large order from a major brick-and-mortar U.S. retailer last week. To obtain the opportunity, Portaro has been working hard.

Now as the very last witness of the seven-day hearings regarding the tariff hikes on 300 billion U.S. dollars' worth of Chinese products, Portaro aims to take control of his own destiny.

During the hearings that concluded here Tuesday, more than 300 business and industry representatives from a broad range of sectors, most of which matter to American families' daily life, made their case against the threatened tariff hikes, a battle for prospects, or even for survival.

HARM ACROSS THE BOARD

"We have very loyal people who have worked for us for a very long time," said Rick Muskat, president of Deer Stags, a U.S. shoe company. "Their jobs are at stake."

Muskat's family-owned business would be in jeopardy due to Washington's latest trade protectionist move, as his company's shoes are mostly sourced from China.

The proposed new tariffs cover such industries as apparel and footwear, food and drinks, culinary, housing, safety, auto, electronics, sporting and recreation, and inflict harm on big and small businesses that rely upon Chinese supplies.