• Chinese robot makers see strong demand despite US tariffs.
• Local supply and few rivals help offset trade impact.

At the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, one of China’s largest trade expos, a robotic coffee station has become an unexpected crowd-puller, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Onlookers gathered to watch robotic arms prepare lattes, drawn by the novelty – and perhaps the efficiency – of the automated system. Over just two days, the system received more than 8 million yuan (about US$1.1 million) in orders, exceeding its developer’s expectations.

The robot cafe was developed by Dolphin Robot Technology. Founder Han Zhaolin said buyers from a wide range of regions, including Vietnam and the Middle East, showed strong interest. Despite concerns over the ongoing US-China trade dispute, Han noted that demand remained steady.

Trade tensions are marked by tariffs that have increased by over 120% on goods from both sides, and did not appear to dampen appetite for the product. According to Han, the robot cafe’s niche design – now in its fifth iteration and supported by nearly 100 patents – faces limited competition globally. He added that the product is not subject to tariff adjustments because of its unique positioning and domestic supply chain.

“There’s nothing like this produced in the US, Germany or Japan,” Han said. “And similar products from South Korea cost twice as much.”

That resilience is notable given the current climate of rising trade barriers. Since the start of the year, Washington has raised tariffs on Chinese imports by a total of 145%, a figure that includes two rounds of 10% hikes and new “reciprocal” duties of up to 125%. According to estimates compiled from Goldman Sachs and Citi analysts, the effective tariff burden on Chinese goods entering the US now stands at roughly 156%, a significant jump from pre-2024 levels.

Beijing has responded in kind, raising its own duties on US imports by 125%. While both countries have layered new tariffs on top of earlier trade war measures, some Chinese exporters at the Canton Fair said their products – especially those using fully domestic supply chains – remain competitive due to the lack of viable foreign alternatives.

The scenario appears to be playing out across much of the Canton Fair, where Chinese smart hardware – ranging from prosthetics to skyscraper-cleaning robots – is attracting strong interest from overseas buyers. Many of the products rely on locally-sourced components, making them less susceptible to rising import duties.

Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology, for example, is marketing its bionic limbs in the United States. The company’s prosthetics, which incorporate brain-computer interface technology, are certified by the US Food and Drug Administration and included under US medical insurance coverage. Despite existing tariffs, Pan Siyu, a company representative, said the products remain cost-effective compared to alternatives.

“Our company’s smart bionic legs and hands … are only one-fifth to one-seventh the cost of similar Western products,” Pan said. “It all depends on how high the tariffs go … US policies change frequently. We can’t predict how our products will be classified next.”

Another highlight at the fair was a skyscraper-cleaning robot developed by Lindu Intelligent Tech Development, which received a top award at the event.

Designed to clean buildings up to 500 metres tall, the system doesn’t require external water or wiring and remains attached to surfaces even in high winds. Sales director Chen Sihong said the robot is now sold in over 20 countries, with exports making up a significant portion of revenue. Interest at the fair came especially from Middle Eastern buyers, who are looking for ways to reduce the high costs of building maintenance.

“Cleaning services are expensive in foreign countries. Cleaning the exterior wall of a building costs about US$2 per square metre, while using our robot costs just 2 yuan (US$0.27),” Chen said. “The investment will be paid off with just one or two buildings cleaned. Plus, the robot can operate 24/7 and has a lifespan of up to eight years.” While Chen did not directly address the effects of US trade measures, he noted that Chinese-made automation continues to draw interest due to its price point and functionality.

Dolphin Robot’s cafe system has also gained attention for its compact design and operational efficiency. It occupies just 2.5 square metres and can prepare more than 50 beverage types – including coffee, matcha, and chocolate drinks – in under a minute. Each drink can be customised based on temperature, sweetness, and other factors.

Han said that remote management via smartphone and built-in self-repair functions reduce the need for human oversight. The system can operate for up to a decade with minimal intervention and has lower electricity costs compared to conventional cafes. “It can self-repair 90% of malfunctions, operate continuously for 10 years without the need to hire anyone, and the monthly electricity cost is only 300 to 500 yuan – less than 5,000 yuan a year,” Han said. “In contrast, a typical cafe in the US pays over 10,000 yuan per month just for electricity.”

In Han’s view, the trade war hasn’t been entirely negative. He suggested that international buyers are increasingly curious about new Chinese tech products, even as tariffs remain in place. “It makes many foreign buyers more interested and more willing to try China’s new generation of tech products,” he said. “That’s one of my biggest takeaways from this year’s Canton Fair.”