TRADERS in Hong Kong are looking to soften the blow of further US tariffs of up to 25 per cent on imports from China by relocating their production or procurement bases to ASEAN nations, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, given that they benefit from the US' Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is organising a seminar titled "Sino-US Trade Dispute: How the US GSP Programme Fits in the Supply Chain Strategy" on August 16 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), where legal experts will provide tips to help local companies take advantage of the zero or low tariffs offered to developing countries by the US. To cope with the business challenges sparked by the US-China trade row, local firms can take GSP possibilities into account when adjusting or optimising their supply chains, a release from the HKTDC said. In addition, a representative from the Trade and Industry Department will introduce enhancement measures for the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestics Sales (BUD Fund) that was established to help local enterprises seize opportunities in China and ASEAN markets. An executive from the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation will also discuss the special enhanced measures to help local exporters cope with increasing credit risks amid the current uncertainties.