As global trade tensions continue, CGTN explored how Chinese manufacturers in Wenzhou—a hub for footwear and electrical exports—are adapting to US tariff pressures with smart strategies that could inspire Zimbabwean businesses, including its growing Chinese entrepreneurial community.
Watch the Full CGTN Documentary: How Wenzhou Factories Navigate US Tariffs
https://amsp.link/details/1939581675382116352
Tariff Pause Brings Relief, But Uncertainty Looms
When the US and China announced a 90-day tariff pause in May 2025, Wenzhou’s exporters scrambled to clear backlogged orders. Kangnai Group, a leading Chinese shoemaker, had shipments stuck in Shanghai warehouses—until the reprieve allowed a sudden surge in deliveries.
“Our US clients were thrilled. They immediately told us to ship,” said Wu Sujuan, Kangnai’s Deputy Director of International Trade. The company, which once had over a dozen US stores, now relies on just two or three after years of trade friction.
Smart Factories & Brand Power: The New Survival Playbook
Facing unpredictable tariffs, Wenzhou firms are doubling down on high-value production and digital branding.
Kangnai built China’s only flexible smart shoe production line, doubling efficiency to offset labor costs.
Morning Electronics, a smart home supplier, leverages its Amazon bestsellers and 1.5M social media followers to maintain pricing power—even under tariffs.
“If tariffs return, we can raise prices slightly. US-made equivalents cost 2-3 times more,” said Li Lezhou, founder of Morning Electronics.
Zimbabwe’s Takeaways: Diversify, Digitize, and Invest in People
Zimbabwean businesses—especially those in manufacturing and trade—can learn from Wenzhou’s resilience:
Diversify Markets: Like Kangnai, which reduced US reliance by expanding elsewhere.
Embrace Automation: Smart manufacturing cuts long-term costs, a crucial aspect of Zimbabwe’s agro-processing and textile sectors.
Build Direct Consumer Links: Social media and e-commerce (like Amazon) help bypass middlemen.
Retain Talent: Kangnai’s employee-focused culture—housing, matchmaking, and upskilling—keeps skilled workers loyal despite labor shortages.
For Zimbabwe, where Chinese traders dominate retail and manufacturing, the key lesson is clear: adaptability beats dependency on any single market.
“…., the market is fair to all. If we stay ahead, we have nothing to fear,” said Kangnai’s production head, Liu Changyong.
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