Vancouver-based industrial laser manufacturer nLIGHT joined the lineup of presenting companies at the D.A. Davidson 18th Annual Technology Conference in New York on Wednesday, and CEO Scott Keeney delivered an address that touched on a number of topics but focused on the Chinese market.

China is one of nLIGHT’s biggest geographical market segments, and several audience members asked Keeney about the company’s recent experiences amidst the ongoing trade war. The first question was the most straightforward: Are things getting better or worse?

“I wish I knew, is the short answer,” Keeney replied.

Chinese market conditions have been challenging, he said, and the company doesn’t know what to expect in the coming months.

The trade war is one of the factors, Keeney said, though nLIGHT is relatively well-positioned to ride it out because the company already operates a second manufacturing facility in Shanghai through a subsidiary, enabling it to directly serve the Chinese market.

But that doesn’t mean nLIGHT is entirely unaffected by tariffs, Keeney said, and it’s been looking for ways to lessen the impact.