Research by Italian consultancy Prometeia suggests the tariff fight between Washington and Beijing has changed trade routes more than it has weakened the underlying commercial relationship. According to a report covered by FinTech Global, the United States cut direct imports from China in 2025, but much of that volume was replaced by goods arriving via Vietnam, India, Thailand and Hong Kong, while Chinese exports to those economies also rose.
The pattern was especially clear in electronics, which accounted for roughly 60 per cent of the drop in bilateral trade. Computers, smartphones and telecommunications equipment were among the hardest hit, yet the supply chain did not simply move out of China. Vietnam has become an important assembly base, but it still depends heavily on Chinese components, leaving much of the value chain anchored in Chinese industry.
Prometeia said the numbers point to re-routing rather than true decoupling. By 2025, the US sourced 13 per cent of its imports directly from China and 23 per cent from other Asian economies, while China sent 37 per cent of its exports to Asia, rising to 50 per cent in electronics. The consultancy argued that this fragmentation can obscure how closely the two economies remain tied.
That view fits with earlier trade evidence from the US International Trade Commission, which recorded a fall in Chinese electronics shipments to the US alongside a sharp rise in imports from Vietnam. Broader commentary from the Council on Foreign Relations has described the trade dispute as part of a longer-running struggle over supply chains, tariffs and industrial influence, while recent industry analysis from Bureau Veritas and ISEAS has highlighted how companies have diversified across Asia without fully escaping Chinese input networks. In that sense, the trade war may be redrawing the map of commerce without ending the relationship beneath it.
Why October 2026 Hong Kong Shows?
As the US-China trade landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: China remains the world's manufacturing powerhouse, and Asia continues to be the epicentre of global electronics supply chains.
The October 2026 Hong Kong Shows is your gateway to the region's most comprehensive sourcing ecosystem. While trade flows may be rerouting, the need for reliable, verified suppliers has never been more critical.
At the October 2026 Hong Kong Shows, you will connect with 4,200+ verified suppliers, explore 330,000+ on‑trend products, and build the resilient supply chains that will navigate shifting trade policies and geopolitical complexities.
Whether you are sourcing consumer electronics, gaming hardware, or electronic components, this is where you secure your position in the world's most dynamic manufacturing region.
Navigate the shift — source at the heart of Asia's supply chain.
October 2026 Hong Kong Shows
Phase 1: 11–14 October | Consumer Electronics | Gaming
Phase 2: 18–21 October | Mobile Electronics | Smart Home, Security & Appliances | Lifestyle Electronics | Sports & Outdoor
AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
Website: hkgse.info/hongkongshows
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Disclaimer: This article may have been created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is provided for general informational purposes only. Readers should verify information independently before relying on this content.
