Factories Feeling the Pinch From Escalating Trade Conflict

FILE PHOTO: Workers stand inside a newly painted wind turbine tower as a fan blows it dry, in the assembly workshop of the Guodian United Power Technology Company at the city of Baoding, Hebei Province June 20, 2011. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

LONDON/TOKYO—Manufacturing activity took a hit from weak orders in August, surveys showed, a sign firms are feeling the pinch from an intensifying trade war between the United States and China that could derail global growth.

Surveys of purchasing managers released on Sept. 3 showed mounting pressure on factories across Europe and Asia, with later data expected to show the United States is in the same grip.