This episode continues a conversation with YC, one of our longtime R&D collaborators, recorded during a drive between factory visits in Shenzhen. In part one, we spoke mostly about engineering and manufacturing. In part two, the discussion shifts, covering trade tensions, the pace of change in China, and how people working inside the supply chain are thinking about the future.

Topics include:

• How tariffs are affecting product design decisions

• The shift from following instructions to building new ideas

• The generation gap in factory work and engineering

• Infrastructure growth and what it’s changed

• Everyday culture in southern China, family meals, communication, and why it matters in business

• What’s happening with younger workers and startups

We also talk about the value of being physically present in China, something that's become a regular part of our work—and what you notice when you're here for long enough.

If you haven’t listened to part one yet, we’d suggest starting there. Thanks again for joining us, and as always, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn if there’s something you’d like us to cover in a future episode.