Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, private enterprises in Ningbo, one of China's most vital port cities and top powerhouses in global trade, have been proactive in exploring new and diversified foreign markets, significantly contributing to the city's foreign trade success. Official data showed that in 2024, the eastern Chinese city's private enterprises reached a remarkable milestone in foreign trade, generating imports and exports worth 1.09 trillion yuan (about 150 billion U.S. dollars). This made Ningbo the third largest city in China for foreign trade, after Shenzhen and Shanghai. The achievement is the result of the tireless efforts of Ningbo's businesses to expand their global reach despite a challenging international trade environment. At the customs-managed warehouse of Zhoushan Port in Ningbo, goods destined for the United States are piled high. However, following the U.S. decision to impose an additional 20-percent tariff on Chinese imports earlier this month, some Ningbo-based companies, such as Ningbo Merryart Glow-Tech, a supplier of bubble water, have seen a rise in customer inquiries regarding the increased costs. According to Lu Minglang, chairman of Ningbo Merryart Glow-Tech, some U.S. customers have requested the company absorb the full costs from the increase in tariffs, while many others have agreed to share the burden equally. This shifting trade landscape has prompted many Ningbo-based enterprises to focus on diversifying their markets. Xu Jingqian, general manager of APCOM Compressor Machine, expanded his business into the Middle East and Southeast Asia last year. Faced with challenges such as unfamiliar languages and environments, Xu turned to AI assistants to help with his business. Thanks to AI, his company was able to filter potential clients more efficiently, helping secure an order worth millions of dollars from a Saudi client. Another example is Beifa Group, one of China's leading stationery manufacturers, which has also made active efforts to expand its global presence. Recently, the company participated in the Ambiente Frankfurt, a leading international consumer goods trade fair, in Germany. Apparel companies in Ningbo are also actively showcasing their products at international exhibitions. Yu Sixing, deputy general manager of Ningbo Rizi Apparel, highlighted their success at a recent exhibition. Currently, the company is operating all five of its production lines at full capacity, with orders scheduled through June. Shotlist: Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, east China - Recent: 1. Various of workers sorting out goods at customs-managed warehouse of Zhoushan Port, customs officials inspecting goods; 2. Various of bubble water production line, workers doing packaging work; 3. Various of interior of bubble water workshop, workers, managing staff; 4. Various of screen showing AI tool; 5. Various of Xu Jingqian, general manager of APCOM Compressor Machine, showing reporter his engagement with Saudi clients; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Jingqian, general manager, APCOM Compressor Machine (starting with shot 5/ending with shot 7): "AI significantly boosts our efficiency by filtering interested customers for us. It allows our sales staff to focus on responding to orders and engaging in technical communications, which has drastically improved our productivity."; 7. Various of Xu talking with reporter; 8. Sign reading "Yiwu Juxin Electromechanical Equipment Company"; 9. Various of production line of Beifa Group, workers, machines operating; FILE: Frankfurt, Germany - February 2025 10. Exhibition booth of Beifa Group at Ambiente Frankfurt; 11. Various of Beifa Group employees talking with clients, introducing products; 12. Visitors at exhibition; Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, east China - Recent 13. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Luo Liannian, director, president's office, Beifa Group (starting with shots 11-12/ending with shot 14): "We secured orders worth 2 million U.S. dollars at the fair, and we expect the total transaction amount to exceed 8 million U.S. dollars. At the event, we not only cemented our presence in traditional markets like Europe and the United States, but also successfully tapped into emerging markets in the Middle East, South America, and other regions. New customers made up 60 percent of the total client base we engaged with."; 14. Various of production line of Beifa Group, workers; 15. Various of production line of garment company, workers; 16. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yu Sixing, deputy general manager, Ningbo Rizi Apparel (starting with shot 15): "We received over 10 groups of foreign customers daily at the exhibition, and more than 40 percent of them expressed interest in continued engagement with us."; 17. Various of production line of garment company, workers; 18. Various of workers sorting out goods at warehouse; 19. Various of employees of cross-border e-commerce platform working, computer screens. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]