US companies especially from the world of technology including Apple, Keurig Dr.Pepper, Dollar Tree, Fitbit opposed the proposal to impose tariffs up to twenty-five percent duty on one-fourth of products imported from China. The companies came together to file letter contesting the move, as it is giving advantage to their global competitors, reducing their output and slashing their contribution to the US Treasury.

Apple in its letter to the US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, submitted on June 17, urged that the government should not proceed with the new tariff as it provides a competitive edge to its rivals. It said, “Chinese producers we compete within global markets do not have a significant presence in the U.S. market, and so would not be impacted by U.S. tariffs. Neither would our other major non-U.S. competitors”. It added that it would also cut down the company’s economic contribution to the state, which it pledges to be over $350 billion in the coming 5 years.

“A US tariff would, therefore, tilt the playing field in favor of our global competitors,” Apple said.

The list of complainants, opposing the tariff, has increased significantly. US officials have provided a seven day window to hear grievances of US manufacturers, retailers and other businesses with regard to the tariff plan. Three more days are left for the companies to approach and file letters to the US Trade Representative in an online forum.

The US companies have raised the plea as the United States and China are expected to resume talks during the meet at the G20 summit in Japan next week. They hope that the meet would put an end to the ongoing trade war after more than a month’s hiatus.

US President Donald Trump had threatened last week to stretch out the tariffs to another $300 billion of Chinese goods if his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping did not yield progress on the trade dispute.