Zhan Jianpeng appears every bit the successful businessman. In addition to the Gucci sneakers and the daughter who works in tech in San Francisco, there are other details that catch the eye as soon as one enters his office: a statue of the god of fortune, and a large aquarium where a stingray and a big dragonfish swim in circles. The dragonfish also symbolizes prosperity − both for the resemblance of its scales to those of the animal most emblematic of Chinese culture, and for its price, which can go up to €400.

For the past few weeks, however, the head of the Chinese evening dress company Pretty Lady, based in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, has had cause for concern. The trade war between the United States and China arrived suddenly and unexpectedly, and it is now heavily affecting his workshops, which employ 200 people. Zhan had particularly focused on the American market, especially for high school prom dresses, often purchased by high school girls with the help of their parents. This demand absorbed more than half of the factory's production until early April.

Since the spike in tariffs imposed by Washington on Chinese imports (145% on most products), American customers have suspended all orders and have requested that ready-to-ship consignments not be sent. Everyone is waiting. "There's nothing to be done. It's not their fault; they are also in limbo, and business is affected on both sides," explained the head of Pretty Lady, maintaining a sense of optimism by estimating that the situation is not sustainable long-term for either country.

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