Part 5/13:
Discussions among exhibitors uncovered a pervasive sense of economic anxiety. Many observed that the current foreign trade environment was increasingly driven by price competition, with buyers seeking longer payment terms and credit facilities—often resorting to informal credit arrangements even when official policies were restrictive. A sentiment echoed by many was that the relentless race to lower prices was damaging the integrity of trade, turning the marketplace into a "race to the bottom." Concerns about future trade prospects and profitability dominated conversations, with fears that this downward pressure would intensify.