Deepseek: What Is the Impact of the 34% Tariff Increase on China’s 3D Printing Industry? Diversification and Domestic Demand May Offer a Way Forward

According to Panda3dp.com, in early April 2025, the United States, under former President Trump, implemented sweeping tariff hikes worldwide. Among these, the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" imposed on Chinese goods reached a rate of 34%. In response, China announced an identical 34% tariff hike on all imports originating from the United States, in addition to the existing applicable tariff rates. What implications does this hold for the 3D printing sector? Deepseek offers some insights.

1. Shockwaves in the Export Market: Consumer-Level 3D Printing Enterprises Under Intense Pressure

At present, China is the world's leading manufacturer of both consumer-grade and industrial-grade 3D printers. Within the consumer 3D printing segment, the U.S. market contributes roughly one-third of Chinese manufacturers’ revenue. The newly imposed 34% U.S. tariff—combined with the existing 11% and a baseline tariff of 10%—raises the effective rate to approximately 54%. This escalation will lead to the following consequences:

- Significant Erosion of Price Competitiveness: Chinese consumer 3D printers are renowned for their affordability (with over 70% priced below $1,000 and profit margins under 10%). However, the heightened tariffs will raise retail prices, undermining market share. For instance, according to Chinese customs data, 1.38 million units were exported to the U.S. in 2024, accounting for 36% of total exports.

- Obstruction to Supply Chain Diversification: Previously, Chinese firms attempted to circumvent tariffs by establishing factories in Southeast Asia (e.g., Vietnam). However, the U.S. has now imposed a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods, eliminating the advantages of rerouting trade. This development renders the “indirect export” strategy increasingly untenable.

2. Supply Chain Risks: Industrial 3D Printing Faces Strategic Vulnerabilities

Although the industrial 3D printing sector is less reliant on the U.S. market, many of its critical components—such as high-end lasers—are still imported from the United States. The imposition of a 34% tariff by China could elevate the costs of these essential parts: if U.S. suppliers pass on the tariff burden, Chinese firms will face significantly increased procurement costs and compressed profit margins.

Take IPG lasers, for example. While these are manufactured in the U.S., Germany, and Russia, Chinese firms often prefer the German-made variants.

Motion control cards and controllers are another area of concern. Advanced systems that coordinate multi-laser operations rely on U.S. chips and algorithms—such as DSP chips from Texas Instruments (TI) or embedded processors from Intel.

Overall, however, the degree to which the U.S. can “choke” the Chinese 3D printing industry remains limited.

3. Domestic Substitution of Core Components: Lasers, Galvanometers, and Opto-Mechanical Modules

According to Panda3dp.com's latest report, The 2025 Landscape of China's 3D Printing Industry, a wave of domestic manufacturers has emerged to replace imported core components such as lasers, galvanometers, and opto-mechanical systems.

Companies like Suzhou CC Laser, Raycus, JPT, Han’s Laser, Chutian, Feibo, DAGONG, Guanghui Laser, and Yangtze Optical Electronics have developed domestically-produced lasers suitable for 3D printing, with power ranging from 100W to 2000W. Some models now rival imported alternatives in beam quality and power stability. These products are widely used in cost-sensitive areas like dental prosthetics and mold-making, and are also increasingly deployed in multi-laser SLM metal 3D printing systems.

Firms such as Han’s S-Tool, Philtek, Hanbang Laser (for internal use), ZS Precision, Sunny Century, Anshan Precision, Saipusen, and Zhibotek have launched galvanometers and field lenses tailored to 3D printing. While domestic galvanometers are gradually replacing imports in small-to-medium machines and consumer electronics (like foldable phone accessories), high-precision or large-format systems still rely on foreign solutions.

In the field of opto-mechanical modules and projection screens, players such as Shenzhen PJC Opto, Shenzhen DJS Vision, Yangming Optics, Anhua Optoelectronics, Beijing Wenting Tech, Wuhan Nuoya, Visitech, Suzhou Leichuang, Youyi Vision, DeepMicro, Giant View, Elephant Vision, Guangjing Tech, Hongli Bingyi, Weishirui Opto, and GoerTek have all introduced 3D-printing-compatible products.

China's industrial 3D printer manufacturers typically adopt a dual-track strategy, offering either domestic or imported components based on client needs.

4. Breaking the Deadlock: Diversification and Unleashing Domestic Demand

China’s 3D printing industry has made significant strides in international expansion. At the 2024 Formnext exhibition in Frankfurt, over 100 Chinese companies participated. Emerging markets in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America are becoming new growth engines for the industry.

Additionally, Panda3dp.com reports that during the 2024 “Double 11” shopping festival on JD.com, sales of 3D printers rose sevenfold year-on-year. Moreover, 3D printers are gradually being included in the national subsidy program, indicating strong domestic growth potential. Much of this demand stems from domestic 3D printing farms—now numbering nearly a thousand. Some farms have reached the scale of thousands of printers, mainly producing parts and toys for export.

The second 3D Printing Farm Summit will be held in August 2025 in Shenzhen. Registration is now open: https://jinshuju.com/f/Yu5OLd

△Scan the QR code to register for the 2nd 3D Printing Farm Conference

Whether industrial or consumer-oriented, and whether producing hardware or materials, Chinese 3D printing companies must avoid the trap of extreme price competition that erodes domestic value while benefiting foreign buyers. Preserving profit margins, increasing R&D investment, and continuously upgrading product offerings represent the sustainable path forward.

Conclusion

The recent tariff standoff between China and the U.S. presents both challenges and opportunities for transformation within China’s 3D printing industry. In the short term, exporters will bear the brunt of economic pressure, while industrial firms must manage supply chain risks. In the long run, success hinges on technological breakthroughs, diversified market expansion, and ecosystem development—ushering in a transition from "manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing."

“In crisis lies opportunity; only amid the storm can true strength emerge.” The future of China’s 3D printing sector depends on whether it can forge irreplaceable competitive advantages amidst the tide of de-globalization.