Marketplace has been following Lei’s business since 2018, just before President Trump imposed tariffs in his first term. Not only did his business survive the extra levies, but Lei said the percentage of his sales to the U.S. went up from 50% in 2018 to 70% at the start of this year.

President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have spoken amid stalled negotiations between their countries over tariffs that have roiled global trade.

News of the call came as new data showed U.S. goods imports dropped significantly in April as sweeping tariffs rolled out.