Xiaomi has grown its presence in Europe while others, like Transsion, have focused on emerging markets. With that success also comes the potential for further scrutiny, Wood said.
"The danger for these manufacturers is if they put their head too far above the parapet, they'll start to get scrutiny from the U.S. administration," Wood said.
"So I think they have to tread a fine line in Barcelona and make sure that they don't make too much noise because the last thing they want is to be the poster child for Chinese technology and become the latest focal point for Trump and his advisors."