When Chinese copper flat wire manufacturer Wellascent decided to build a factory in Texas early last year, it was partly a hedge against geopolitical risk. Some eighteen months later, amid a U.S.-China trade war, the wager appears to be paying off.

Grand Prairie

Donald Trump has signed an order to impose tariffs imports into the U.S. from countries including China, Mexico and Canada.

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Chinese copper manufacturer Wellascent has constructed a factory in Grand Prairie, Texas, enabling the company to supply U.S. clients such as automaker Stellantis while avoiding the 50 percent tariffs imposed on copper wire imports. The facility is set to begin production soon and is expected to produce 3,000 tons of copper flat wire annually by 2028.

This investment allows Wellascent to compete more effectively in the U.S. market, as its locally produced goods are not subject to the tariffs affecting its competitors. While the move aligns with U.S. goals to boost domestic manufacturing, it also highlights the ambivalence among policymakers about Chinese investment. Wellascent plans to invest $100 million in the plant over three years, with expectations that it will generate more than half of the company's overseas revenue within that period.

How a gamble in Texas paid off for this Chinese copper company

Early last year, this Chinese copper firm built a factory in Texas. It was a gamble that is now paying off in the backdrop of President Donald Trump's trade war. DAVID ZHANG, Vice President, Wellascent Co., Ltd.: Because we have a factory in the United States, I think in the future, when we serve American clients on sales locally, Wellascent has more advantages, which should be a good thing for us. That's David Zhang, Vice President of Wellascent. The company's plant in Grand Prairie will start production later this year, and by 2028 churn out 3,000 tons of copper flat wire annually for U.S. clients like automaker Stellantis. Because Wellascent's products are produced locally, the factory shields U.S. customers from the 50 percent tariffs imposed on copper wire imports. And demand is hot. That's a rare case where a Chinese company has benefited despite U.S. tariffs being designed to counter China's industrial dominance. This is pretty unusual. Cameron Johnson is senior partner at consultancy Tidal Wave Solutions. One because they've actually have technology and production that the U.S. needs, so it fits the needs. But two, that they also got in under the radar, meaning they got in before the tariffs, so it actually gives them the ability to push back against competitors because they don't have the 50 percent tariff, whereas their competitors do. While Wellascent's investment achieves Washington's goal of bringing industry to the U.S., it also underscores ambivalence among U.S. policymakers about whether to welcome Chinese companies. According to Johnson, Chinese investment, especially in manufacturing, began tapering off after Trump's first term and have now stalled. He says Washington's hostile attitude is now echoed in Beijing, where regulators are encouraging firms to avoid the U.S. Johnson says his firm faced no regulatory issues, though, winning approval from Chinese and U.S. authorities. It plans to invest in three years $100 million in the U.S. plant, which is expected to generate more than half of the company's overseas revenue within three years.

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How a gamble in Texas paid off for this Chinese copper company

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