This thesis explores the interrelations between the cultural dimensions and the establishment of trust, within the context of foreign distribution partnerships. The empirical data of the research is based on the activities of a Swedish startup during its Chinese market entry. With this study we aim to look closer at the changes of startup’s original cultural standpoints when they find themselves in a situation where they have to react appropriately to the differing cultural positioning of the foreign distribution partner. Further, we analyzed the consequences that have been triggered by the changes in the startup’s original cultural dimensions. Moreover, we have also assessed and speculated on the importance and the possible outcomes of the high and low degree of accuracy in the evaluation of trustworthiness of partners’ competences.We believe that our exploratory study is a first step in the direction to evaluate the importance of developing trust in partnerships accurately by carefully considering the adaptation of cultural codes and its implications. The propositions provided in this thesis can further be developed and tested with a considerably larger sample size across all of the variables of interest.