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Majority of Finnish exporters support EU countermeasures to U.S. tariffs: survey
HELSINKI, June 18 (Xinhua) -- More than half of Finnish export companies want the European Union (EU) to respond to U.S. tariffs with equivalent countermeasures, according to a new survey released Wednesday by the Finland Chamber of Commerce.
The poll found that 51 percent of Finnish exporters surveyed support the EU imposing retaliatory tariffs that mirror those introduced or proposed by the United States.
The Chamber said in a statement that Washington's trade policies are placing significant strain on Finnish export businesses.
More than 86 percent of companies surveyed said uncertainty caused by U.S. trade measures is negatively affecting their business. Only 10 percent reported no impact.
Exporters in the technology sector have been particularly hard hit, with new orders nearly coming to a halt, according to a separate industry survey also published on Wednesday.
Despite trade tensions, confidence in export growth has risen. Some 64 percent of respondents expect exports to grow this year, up from 47 percent in the same period last year.
"It is gratifying to note that despite U.S. President Donald Trump's rapid policy shifts and broader global turmoil, the outlook for export companies has improved," said Paivi Pohjanheimo, director of international affairs at the chamber. "Exporters believe they can weather the situation, and the economy will recover as exports gain momentum."
Exporters' growing confidence may stem in part from their proactive search for alternative markets, indicated the survey. Around one-third said they are increasing business within the EU and the European Economic Area due to the threat of a trade war.
Furthermore, among companies with business operations in China, 86 percent said China's importance to their activities remained unchanged.
The export manager survey was conducted from June 5 to June 10 and received responses from 138 Finnish export firms.
