The tariff game between China and the United States has escalated, and China's SMT chip placement machines and parts export trade are facing challenges and opportunities.

In 2025, China-US trade relations will become tense again due to the implementation of the "reciprocal tariff" policy by the United States. On April 10, the United States announced that the "reciprocal tariff" rate on Chinese goods exported to the United States would be further increased to 125%. China immediately took countermeasures. From April 12, the tariff rate on imported goods originating from the United States was increased from 84% to 125%. This series of tariff adjustments has had a profound impact on the global trade pattern, especially in the field of China's SMT placement machine and parts export trade.

The impact of US tariff policy on China's SMT placement machine and parts exports

The US "reciprocal tariff" policy has brought a direct impact on China's SMT placement machine and parts export trade. According to the General Administration of Customs, China's market share of related products exported to the United States in 2024 has declined due to the impact of previous tariffs. After the new round of tariff upgrades in 2025, the cost of SMT placement machines and parts exported by China to the United States has increased significantly, and the profit margins of export companies have been squeezed.

In addition, the uncertainty of the US tariff policy has also brought operating risks to enterprises. Some companies reported that the frequent adjustment of tariffs has led to order delays or cancellations, and companies have to adjust production plans, increasing operating costs. At the same time, the uncertainty of the US market has also prompted some companies to consider transferring part of their production capacity to Southeast Asia and other regions to avoid high tariffs.

Chinese companies' response strategies

Faced with the challenges of US tariff policies, Chinese SMT placement machines and parts export companies have actively adjusted their strategies to respond. On the one hand, companies have increased their efforts to explore other overseas markets and reduce their dependence on the single US market. For example, some companies have turned their attention to markets such as Europe, Southeast Asia and South America, and successfully expanded new customer groups by optimizing product portfolios and improving service quality.

On the other hand, companies have improved their competitiveness through technological innovation and product upgrades. In recent years, China's SMT placement machine industry has made significant progress in technological research and development, and the product performance of some companies has reached the international advanced level. By launching higher-precision and higher-efficiency products, companies can not only meet the needs of the high-end market, but also offset the cost pressure caused by tariffs to a certain extent.

Experts' views and industry outlook

Experts pointed out that although the US tariff policy has brought short-term difficulties to the export of Chinese SMT placement machines and parts, in the long run, it also provides an opportunity for Chinese companies to transform and upgrade. By increasing R&D investment and optimizing the industrial structure, Chinese companies are expected to occupy a more advantageous position in the global market.

From the perspective of industry development trends, the global SMT placement machine market will continue to grow in the next few years, especially in the fields of 5G communications, consumer electronics and automotive electronics. If Chinese companies can make breakthroughs in technological innovation and market expansion, they will be expected to gain a larger share in the global market.

Conclusion

The uncertainty of China-US trade relations has brought challenges to China's SMT placement machine and parts export trade, but it has also prompted companies to accelerate the pace of transformation and upgrading. Through technological innovation, market diversification and optimization of industrial structure, Chinese companies are expected to achieve sustainable development in a complex and changing international trade environment.