In recent years, the United States has been implementing the policy of ** barriers and decoupling and chain breaking, trying to reshape the ** chain and restrict the development of Chinese enterprises. However, Chinese companies are smart and have a global strategy, and they are able to use a variety of means to *** But are Americans really at a loss for what to do?This article will delve into this issue.
During the Trump era, the United States not only launched a first-class war, but also adopted a friendly shore outsourcing model, that is, the first-tier chain was transferred to low-cost friendly countries, such as India and Vietnam. However, Chinese companies quickly realized this tactic and have relocated factories to countries such as Vietnam to circumvent regulations and tariffs. This move has boosted a wave of Chinese investment in Vietnam, making Vietnam a major base for Chinese processing and re-exports. However, the U.S. underestimated the determination and wisdom of Chinese companies, believing that they would not relocate their factories to Mexico. In fact, many Chinese companies have done just that, fueling a wave of Chinese investment in Mexico.
Since the Trump era, Chinese direct investment in Mexico has shown a rapid growth trend. In 2021, Chinese direct investment in Mexico increased by 76%, compared to 48% in 2022. In recent years, nearly 3,000 Chinese companies have made direct investments in Mexico, as well as a number of well-known Chinese car brands and manufacturers. However, the forced decoupling of Chinese companies by the United States has not stopped, and they have reached out to Mexico.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary and Mexico's Treasury Secretary reportedly signed an agreement in December 2021 aimed at strengthening cooperation on foreign investment screening. Although the agreement does not explicitly mention China, the U.S. Treasury Department said the newly formed task force will help Mexico increase its scrutiny of foreign investment, especially in areas of certain technologies, critical infrastructure and sensitive data. This means that the United States is trying to restrict Chinese companies' investments in Mexico and may put them on tariff or sanctions lists.
Considering the frequent visits of the top level of the United States to Vietnam in an attempt to elevate the relationship between the two countries to the highest level of comprehensive strategic partnership, we can speculate that the United States may exert pressure on Vietnam. If Mexico's decoupling and chain breaking policy is successful, the United States is likely to repeat the same approach in Vietnam. This suggests that the United States is building a so-called "security chain" with pervasive and ubiquitous surveillance, with the aim of restricting the development of Chinese companies. This once again proves that the words and deeds of American politicians are inconsistent and untrustworthy.
In the face of the U.S. decoupling and chain breaking policy, Chinese companies need to find a way to *** Although Mexico may be restricted by the United States, for Southeast Asia and other places, the situation is different. However, if Mexico's doors are completely closed, Chinese companies may have to change their strategy in the future when facing the US market, reducing the production of finished products and turning to the production of core spare parts and even technology and materials. Therefore, we need to have a broader discussion and explore solutions.
In the face of the U.S. policy of decoupling and disconnection, Chinese companies are facing huge challenges. However, there are also opportunities in the midst of challenges. Chinese companies need to be flexible and proactively look for new markets and partners. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen the support and guidance for enterprises to provide strong support for their competition in the international market. Only in this way can Chinese enterprises rise in the face of adversity and achieve a higher level of development.