The impact of China-US trade tariff issues on China's three phase
asynchronous motor exports has manifested in multiple aspects, primarily including the following:
Increased Costs and Reduced Price Competitiveness
The United States' imposition of tariffs on Chinese motor products has directly raised export costs. For example, in March 2025, the comprehensive tariff rate on motors and motor products exported from China to the U.S. reached 45%, causing the selling price of Chinese motors in the U.S. market to rise by 15%-20%. This has weakened the price competitiveness of Chinese motors, with U.S. importers potentially shifting to lower-cost sourcing countries. For instance, in the first quarter of 2025, China's motor exports to the U.S. fell by 12% year-on-year, while Mexico's exports increased by 18%.
Supply Chain Relocation and Industrial Chain Adjustments
To avoid tariffs, some Chinese-funded enterprises may relocate motor production lines to countries with free trade agreements or tariff preferences with the U.S., such as Southeast Asia or Mexico. In the long term, this could accelerate the decentralization of China's motor industry chain. Meanwhile, U.S. customers may require Chinese companies to establish factories in the U.S. or support local motor suppliers, further reducing direct imports from China.
Divergent Export Structures
Low-value-added general-purpose motors, such as small AC motors and standard DC motors, are highly price-sensitive and significantly affected by tariffs. In contrast, high-end motors with high technical barriers and low substitutability, such as precision servo motors and new energy vehicle motors, are relatively less impacted. For example, after the China-U.S. trade friction in 2018, China's exports of general-purpose motors to the U.S. fell by approximately 8% over two years, while new energy vehicle motors maintained growth due to technological advantages.
Trade Diversion and Market Diversification
Chinese enterprises may increase exports to markets such as the EU, ASEAN, and the Middle East to reduce reliance on the U.S. market. For example, demand for new energy and energy-efficient motors has grown under the EU's green transition policies. Some companies may also re-export through third countries like Vietnam or Malaysia, though this carries risks of origin reviews.
Long-Term Impact: Reshaping Global Supply Chain Patterns
If U.S. tariffs become long-term, they may stimulate the U.S. to rebuild domestic motor production capacity, particularly in high-end motors for defense and critical infrastructure. This poses a test to the resilience of China's industrial chain, requiring the Chinese motor industry to strengthen technological autonomy and global strategic(strategic positioning) to avoid being excluded from critical supply chains.
