Odd Lots This Is How Chinese Manufacturers Are Countering Trump's Trade War
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Jul 28, 2025 
Cameron Johnson, a partner at Tidalwave Solutions based in Shanghai, shares insights on the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. He discusses how Chinese manufacturers are adapting to tariffs while deepening ties with other nations. Cameron highlights China's manufacturing dominance and its rapid advancements in AI, showcasing the country's lead in practical tech applications. The conversation also considers shifts in production from China to Vietnam and the challenges posed by labor dynamics and U.S. tariffs on global supply chains.
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China Upskills Manufacturing
- Chinese manufacturing moves higher-margin products domestically and shifts lower-end production abroad, e.g., Vietnam.
- China retains complex SKUs due to superior supplier ecosystems and talent scale.
Supply Chains Expand, Not Shift
- Supply chains aren't relocating but expanding and replicating in Southeast Asia.
- China’s supplier network is being recreated to serve nearby production hubs like Vietnam.
Labor Cost vs Productivity
- Labor costs vary by industry, with materials often being a larger factor than wages.
- Productivity and infrastructure, not just labor cost, determine competitiveness in Asian manufacturing.