Chinese manufacturers have gone viral on TikTok in response to Trump’s tariff hikes by revealing how cheap it is to produce luxury items, such as Lululemon leggings and Birkin bags.
In addition to demonstrating the production process, they also offer viewers advice on how to order directly from factories to avoid markups and reduce tariffs.
The videos, which have received millions of views overall range from simple piece-to-camera explainers going over production costs to bulk packing lines and unit cost breakdowns.
Numerous reaction videos featuring Western creators commenting on, sharing, and endorsing Chinese makers who are “exposing” the costs of luxury brands have also been produced as a result of this.
@senbags2If you’re not sure what rare leather bag to buy, an ostrich leather bag would be an excellent choice.♬ original sound – senbags2
@lunasourcingchina Name one thing that China CANNOT make! #chinasourcing #sourcingtips #sourcingagent #yiwuagent #yiwuminigoods #yiwumarkets #Lunasourcingchina #chinasource #brooksbrothers #shirt #shirtmanufacturer #premiumshirt #tommyhilfiger #hugoboss #lacoste🐊 #factory#chinashipping #wholesale #luxury #jewelryaccessories #alibaba #directfactory #chinasupplier ♬ original sound – LunaSourcingChina
@lan.furniture6 Chinese supplier of Luluemon 👍👍 #sourcing #sourcefactory #business #smallbusinesstips #overseas #import #importstuff #supplier #supplychain #factory #makeinchina ♬ original sound – lan furniture
This content is referred to colloquially on the platform as “Chinese Manufacturer tok” and “trade war tiktok.”
Some of the videos are from freight forwarders or sourcing agents, while others appear to have been shot in original equipment manufacturing (OEM) plants, which also produce goods under private label contracts for Western brands.
The said posts often claim that branding is the only distinction between products that are sold directly and those that wind up on the shelves.
These videos, which TikTok users are fondly referring to as “petty,” coincide with a dramatic increase in US import prices brought on by the most recent round of protectionist tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Among other things, the de minimis exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong will no longer apply.
This implies that high importation taxes will now be applied to anything coming into the country from those areas, regardless of value. That might entail a 145% tariff on Chinese exports.
For everyday consumers, the effect is much more immediate, with higher retail prices coming at a time when discretionary spending is already under pressure.
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