For many years, digital imaging technology supplier Altek Corp relied on private demonstrations to generate business from its handful of large clients in China.
The Taiwanese hi-tech supplier, however, must now take part in trade shows in China to widen its search for new customers, according to company executive Nicole Chen, after major client Huawei Technologies became entangled in the raging trade and tech war between China and the US. Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker and second biggest smartphone vendor, used to outsource to Altek the production of image signal processors for its dual camera handsets.
While some hi-tech suppliers claim to have not yet been affected by the US-China dispute, they are prepared to raise prices if the conflict escalates with heavier tariffs on a broader range of products.