Quality matters

The US tariffs have brought significant uncertainty to foreign trade enterprises, with many companies facing increasing pressure to take proactive measures to address the situation.

Deng Lin, chairman of Liling Caifeng Fireworks Co, in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, acknowledged the immediate challenges posed by the "unstable" US tariff rates, which have disrupted new orders and slowed production.

"Our products, aside from being sold domestically, have the United States as a primary export market," he said.

Deng said clients are pausing orders to negotiate with the US government on the tariffs.

He added the company is currently expanding its presence in the domestic market, while exploring opportunities in other markets including Europe and Southeast Asia.

Deng participated in the 19th International Symposium on Fireworks and the First Hunan (Liling) Fireworks Industry Expo on April 21 in Zhuzhou, hoping to cultivate new clients.

Hunan exported 4.84 billion yuan ($666 million) of fireworks and firecrackers last year, accounting for 58.6 percent of the country's total fireworks exports, according to Changsha Customs.

The US remains the biggest fireworks export market for the province, with 1.7 billion yuan of the product exported to the country in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 28.1 percent.

During the expo, fireworks manufacturers said the superior quality and variety of Chinese products had helped them maintain a competitive edge that can see them withstand the impact of the new tariffs.

Li Yanping, Chairman of Hunan Hengda Fireworks, said the fireworks sector remains relatively confident about overcoming the US tariffs. When everything is settled, global consumers will still purchase Chinese products, she said.

"People won't stop celebrating with fireworks. Fireworks symbolize resilience and joy — a universal human need," she said.