China's role pivotal in global machine tool industry

As US tariffs introduce growing complexities for manufacturers navigating global markets, China's steadfast and pivotal role in the machine tool industry is poised to fuel further growth, said a leading German industry expert.

"If protectionism is coming back, it will be a challenge, especially for European manufacturers," said Markus Heering, executive director of the German Machine Tool Builders' Association, in an interview with China Daily.

"A lot of our members have their own subsidiaries in China. So that will be a challenge if tariffs are coming," Heering said, expressing concerns over the US' recent tariff policies and possible challenges on free trade that come with them.