It has also been a big buyer of European factory equipment and luxury goods.
On a recent afternoon, three engineers from China were working to install factory equipment.
Orders for metals, factory equipment, computers and transportation equipment all dropped sharply.
Russia is spending on factory equipment, trucks and airplanes at a level typical of more developed economies like Germany.
In that application they transmit data between devices such as thermostats, fire detectors and some automated factory equipment.
First, he unloaded the company's foundry, bus-making divisions and Renault Automation, which makes auto factory equipment, to Fiat.
Chip makers have reduced spending on factory equipment as sales of computers, mobile phones and other electronics have slowed.
And he warned that the American action was likely to result in reduced Chinese imports of raw materials and factory equipment for the solar panel industry.
Things began to change in the 1970s, however, when Japan and Germany started making cars and factory equipment and electronic gadgets that beat their American competitors.
Plastic coatings under development may someday bring that moment to pass, rendering dinnerware, bathroom mirrors and even factory equipment sparkling clean with water alone.
Some banks are requiring lenders to personally guarantee corporate loans and put up considerably more land and factory equipment as collateral.
