Chinese media: Trump's trade war will hurt Apple and Boeing

If the next president starts imposing trade tariffs on China, then he's going to be harming America's own companies. That's the line from China's Global Times, which has published an editorial theorizing potential responses to any future trade war. For instance, should the US follow through on promises on the campaign trail and block sales of Chinese products, the nation will retaliate in kind. For instance, China would ditch Boeing orders in favor of those from Airbus, or ban sales of Apple's iPhone in the country where it's manufactured.

It's important to note, however, that while Global Times is a state-run outfit, it's hardly the best venue for saber-rattling. If China really wanted to drop some not-so subtle warnings about international relations, it'd use Global Times' parent the People's Daily, or Xinhua News. This byline-free editorial is more of a rebuke to the accusation that China is a currency manipulator. The stuff about blocking the iPhone and Boeing seem to be baseless conjecture than anything else. Although, given how far baseless conjecture can get you these days, maybe we should worry.