At the start of last year, a quirky electric tricycle from China — known as "San Beng Zi" — unexpectedly became a hit on American streets.

The phrase "U.S. loves Sanbengzi" went viral on Chinese social media, turning a once-overlooked ride into an unlikely export star.

Back then, Huang Yichang took us to the frontlines of that buzz, where U.S. orders were pouring in.

But was it just a moment of online hype?

And how has this once-hopeful flow of trade held up under the U.S. trade tariff uncertainties.