AP PHOTOS: Chinese factories seek to expand their business outside the US following Trump Tariffs

DONGGUAN, China (AP) — Massive aluminum sheets hang in Danny Lau’s factory as workers bustled about painting them with oil coating in China's southern industrial city of Dongguan.

The Hong Kong businessman set up this factory in mainland China in the 1990s, taking advantage of lower manufacturing costs. While the factory has soldiered through past economic turmoil, Lau said the escalating trade war has proved to be “most difficult.”

“We didn’t expect that our orders would suffer so heavily,” Lau said.

During U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term, the factory was hit with a 25% tariff. After Trump returned to the White House this year, tariffs escalated further, with the U.S. imposing sweeping 145% tariffs and China raising its tariffs to 125%. For Lau's aluminum-coating factory, he said it amounted to a 75% tariff on his products.

One third of clients for Lau’s Kam Pin Industrial are from the U.S. One U.S. client said they would keep buying materials from Lau for an ongoing project because they couldn’t find another supplier, but they will need to reconsider whether to source from him for the next project. A few clients told him the chances of continuing business with him are slim. “Prospects are grim,” he said.

Since late 2024, Lau’s company has started exploring opportunities in new markets, anticipating Trump’s increasing tariffs. Recently, he visited a few Middle Eastern countries. While other Chinese exporters have begun diversifying their markets since Trump’s first term, Lau found the U.S. market difficult to replace.

“The U.S. market has big advantages — it has the ability to pay, and they have demand for high quality and punctual delivery,” Lau said. "Without that market, it would be difficult for us.”

One virtual reality equipment and game company has succeeded in finding demand in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

“The living standard, views on consumption and the cultural feelings of these countries are close to those of China,” said Zou Huajian, in charge of export business in Zhuoyuan VR Tech.

Zou said his company has diverted resources to developing economies after the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a blow. The U.S. now accounts for less than 10% of the company’s business, Zou said, because people are less willing to spend on entertainment.

Half of the company’s orders now come from countries outside China, in particular from Asia-Pacific countries, with India one of their biggest export markets.

Associated Press video producer Olivia Zhang in Dongguan and AP writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

An aerial view of a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, manufacturer of coated aluminum panels, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker holds together aluminum panels at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Workers check aluminum panels produced at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker welds together metal parts at the factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, manufacturer of coated aluminum panels in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker monitors paint being coated on aluminum panels at the factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Danny Lau, Managing Director of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, speaks in the factory in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Danny Lau, Managing Director of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, stands at the entrance to the office in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker holds together aluminum panels at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker prepares aluminum panels for coating at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Workers prepare aluminum panels for coating at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker prepares aluminum panels for coating at a factory of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Danny Lau, Managing Director of Kam Pin Industrial (HK) Ltd, stands near an aluminum panel produced at its factory in Dongguan city in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A man tries out a virtual reality platform at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A man tries out a virtual reality game at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker tries out a virtual reality platform at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker tries out a virtual reality platform at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A man experience a 3D ride at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker past by a virtual reality experience platform built at the factory of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Completed virtual reality gaming platforms are covered up at the factory of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Completed virtual reality gaming platforms are covered up at the factory of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker prepares products for shipping at the factory of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker tests out virtual reality rides at the factory of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker labors on a platform for a virtual reality game machine produced at the factory for Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Zou Huajian, overseas sales manager of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd talks about the Virtual Reality products at the experience center in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Visitors try out a virtual reality game at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A man experience a 3D ride at the experience center of Zhuoyuan Tech Co., Ltd in Panyu district of Guangzhou city in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

Global Critical Resources Corporation (GCR) today announced the appointment of Matthieu Bos as a Member of its Advisory Board. Mr. Bos is a seasoned executive with more than fifteen years of experience in the mining and banking industries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112354990/en/

Mr. Bos is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Energy Materials Plc (TSX: FLCN) (Falcon), an anode material development company. Backed by La Mancha Fund, Falcon is building a battery material plant in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Prior to joining Falcon, Mr. Bos served as Executive Vice President Africa of Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) (Ivanhoe), a leading Canadian diversified mining company which has developed the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His responsibilities included corporate development, investor relations, concentrate marketing, and government relations. Mr. Bos also helped Ivanhoe secure more than $3 billion in financing and investment. Mr. Bos began his career in the metals and mining group of BMO Capital Markets.

Mr. Bos also has an impressive track record of advising companies in the natural resources sector. He will continue to serve on the board of Hercules Metals (TSX:BIG), an Idaho-focused copper exploration company, and SRQ Exploration (TSX:SRQ), a Quebec-focused nickel exploration company. Mr. Bos was previously Non-Executive Director at Elemental Altus Royalties, a precious metals royalty company which attracted the first investment in the mining sector from the Tether stablecoin, and Shanta Gold, an East African gold producer.

Mr. Bos holds a Master of Science degree in Metallurgy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, both from the Delft University of Technology. He speaks Dutch, English, and French.

“We are excited to welcome Matthieu to our team. His considerable experience and track record of success in the mining industry across Africa and the world will help bring GCR to its next chapter of growth,” said GCR’s Executive Chairman Cevdet Caner.

GCR Chief Executive Officer Richard Bunning said, “Matthieu’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to building a world-class advisory team with deep technical, operational, and geopolitical expertise. His leadership and unique perspective will accelerate the execution of our strategic vision.”

Mr. Bos stated, “I am honored to join GCR’s Advisory Board at such a pivotal time for the company. I look forward to working with Cevdet, Richard, and rest of GCR’s first-class team as they create a strong foundation for long-term success in this critical industry.”

Global Critical Resources Corporation (GCR) is a U.S.-registered producer of the critical metals that power modern life with assets in Africa and South America. GCR’s Executive Chairman, Austrian entrepreneur Cevdet Caner, has over two decades experience investing in the mining and property sectors and is the founder of several multi-billion-dollar real estate and natural resource companies.

Matthieu Bos, Advisory Board Member, Global Critical Resources Corporation