Breaking up with China is hard to do 與中國市場難分難捨：澳洲龍蝦商、德國燈泡商Osram，日本 Toto 衛浴

Australia’s lobstermen are almost entirely reliant on China: At the beginning of this year, 95 percent of their catch was shipped there.  David Dare Parker for The New York Times

Breaking up with China is hard to do

The coronavirus pandemic has reminded many countries how deeply reliant on Chinese business they are, and some are trying to reduce their exposure.

That’s not always as easy as it sounds — especially during an economic crisis. We looked at three companies in three countries heavily reliant on China to understand what businesses are facing.

Australia’s lobster: Before the pandemic, 95 percent of Australia’s spiny lobsters were being shipped to Chinese partners. One third-generation fisherman in Western Australia said he tried quickly to diversify, but found that his only hope was rebuilding ties with China.

A German lighting company: The last time German industry faced a severe downturn, relief came from China. Olaf Berlien, chief executive of Osram, one of the world’s largest lighting companies, said that since then he has become more skeptical and worked to rethink logistics and supply chains.

Luxury bathroom fixtures from Japan: Toto, Japan’s largest toilet maker, makes what China’s nouveau riche really want: electronic bidet toilets with heated seats, warm water jets, pleasingly shaped ceramic bowls and automated lids.

China accounts for more than half of its overseas sales. And for Toto, the huge market and skilled workers are too good to pass up.