Marketplace has been following Lei’s business since 2018, just before President Trump imposed tariffs in his first term. Not only did his business survive the extra levies, but Lei said the percentage of his sales to the U.S. went up from 50% in 2018 to 70% at the start of this year.

China has accused President Donald Trump of causing severe disruption to global supply chains after he doubled the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent. Trump hiked the Section 232 tariffs in a proclamation that took effect on June 4,

President Donald Trump said Thursday that his first call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping since returning to office was “very positive,” announcing that the two countries will hold trade talks in hopes of breaking an impasse over tariffs and global supplies of rare earth minerals.