Despite external pressures, international buyers continue to flock to the Canton Fair. On October 18, François Scoliège, Business Development Manager of Established Inc., a U.S.-based firm, emphasized the fair's irreplaceable role. "The world is coming here for sourcing," he said. "If you want to produce consumer electronics, you have to come here. Most TV and appliance producers are Chinese".
Scoliège is one among the many international buyers who consistently come back to the Canton Fair. As an old friend of the Canton Fair, Scoliège have participated in over 20 sessions of the Canton Fair, with an annual procurement volume in China exceeding USD 200 million.
Against a backdrop of global economic turbulence and escalating trade tensions, the 138th Canton Fair has opened with record-breaking scale, sending a powerful message of resilience and innovation.
On the same day, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, held a video call on Saturday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, during which the two sides agreed to hold a new round of economic and trade consultations as soon as possible.
Scoliège expressed unwavering faith in Chinese enterprises: "I'm not afraid for Chinese people and Chinese companies. They will adapt themselves as they always do". He noted that his company is negotiating with two major Chinese TV manufacturers and one home appliance partner, expecting agreements by year-end.
While U.S. tariffs pose challenges, Chinese exporters are pivoting to new markets. Scoliège views tariff instability as temporary: "It's a question of time. This instability will not remain forever… The market will need to be stabilized". He added that Chinese firms are leveraging the crisis to explore untapped markets: "They will sell more in Latin America and Europe, waiting for the U.S. to come back".
"Crisis is also a time of opportunity," Scoliège concluded. "China knows how to adapt. The best producers are here, so that's why I'm here".
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Poster | Lai Meiya
Video | Zeng Xiangxing
Editor | Hu Nan, Shen He
