At the 2026 Fortune Global 500 Forum held in Guangzhou on September 16, Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. Chairman and President Li Huagang emphasized that companies must adapt to counter the current trend of deglobalization. He stressed a pivotal shift from merely conducting global business to building genuine global capabilities.

"Previously, we were accustomed to selling products manufactured in China to markets worldwide, which we termed global business operations. However, under the current circumstances, we must transform and elevate our approach from global business to global capability," Li explained. He clarified that this evolution encompasses both the globalization of the supply chain and the globalization of research and development.

Encouragingly, Li noted that through relentless efforts, Haier Smart Home's global capabilities are indeed strengthening. "We have moved away from our previous practice of using China as the core hub to expand into global markets. Instead, we are now truly embedding ourselves in markets around the world, providing local users with the products and services they truly desire," he stated.

The forum served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss strategic responses to shifting international trade dynamics, with Li's remarks underscoring a broader corporate pivot towards localized value creation.