Jianggan Li: US-China Trade Chaos, Vietnam Caught in the Middle & Why Everyone’s Diversifying – E582

Jianggan Li, Founder of Momentum Works speaks with Jeremy Au to unpack how the US-China trade conflict is reshaping global manufacturing, trust in international trade, and Southeast Asia’s role in the crossfire. They explore why businesses are stuck in limbo, how Vietnam and Cambodia became unintended casualties, and what diversification looks like when no one trusts the rules anymore. The two dive into historical analogies, business strategy, and what Chinese multinationals might do next to weather the storm.

01:01 Tariffs surprised both sides and confused manufacturers: China and the US escalated their trade war with aggressive tariffs, leaving factories unsure whether to pause, relocate, or wait.

02:33 Vietnam and Cambodia were hit despite trying to stay neutral: US tariffs targeting Vietnam shocked businesses who had just begun shifting supply chains there, triggering rapid reassessments.

05:21 China prepared a response toolkit in advance: The central government had studied scenarios and released policies, stimulus packages, and papers to manage the impact without acting impulsively.

13:32 The bond market backlash exposed real risks: Rising interest rates from global uncertainty threaten America’s ability to maintain its debt-fueled spending, raising fears across both sides.

17:52 Diversification became a necessity, not a strategy: Both Chinese exporters and Southeast Asian governments are now exploring more trade partners, not relying solely on China or the US.

24:32 New markets are opening up for cross-border trade: With the US less predictable, Chinese firms are turning to Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to grow exports and presence.

30:04 China’s domestic consumption still lags behind: Without boosting local confidence and spending, China’s manufacturing surplus will continue spilling into foreign markets and intensifying competition.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/jianggan-li-when-trade-trust-breaks

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea

English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts