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Coronavirus May Reduce US Farm Exports, Disrupt Medical Supplies

Eunjung Cho

   WASHINGTON - With scores of Chinese factories now sitting idle because
   of the spread of the novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19, American
   officials and experts are warning the economic shock could be felt in
   the U.S. in the months to come.

   For now, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser hinted
   at a limited economic impact.

   Speaking at an event at the Atlantic Council in Washington this week,
   Robert O'Brien said, "there will be some effect on the U.S. GDP growth"
   but added, "we'll have to wait and see."

   While acknowledging China's critical role in the global supply chain,
   O'Brien said he is watching whether alternative suppliers can be found
   or Chinese workers will return to their factories.

   He said he did expect China to reduce the imports of American
   agricultural products under the Phase 1 trade deal.

   "We expect the phase 1 deal will allow China to import more food and
   open those markets to American farmers, but certainly as we watch this
   coronavirus outbreak unfold in China it could have an impact on how
   big, at least in this current year, the purchases are," O'Brien noted.

   The U.S. medical sector also is expected to register an impact from the
   coronavirus outbreak.

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