Significance
The US-led diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in February will increase the pressure on US companies to decide whether China or the United States is their more valuable market. Some of that pressure to decide is coming from employees and customers in both countries.
Impacts
More frequent and sharper confrontations between US companies and China could accelerate the decoupling of the two economies.
Renewed emphasis on human rights concerns will encourage the further shifting of some supply chain elements out of China.
Consumer brands are particularly vulnerable to human rights concerns, as are their suppliers.
