Chinese Factories Go Viral on TikTok to Dodge US Tariffs
TikTok is the new front in the US-China trade war, as factories in China pitch cheap “dupes” to sidestep Trump’s 145% tariff hike.
In the latest twist to the US-China trade war, Chinese factories are turning to TikTok to pitch directly to American shoppers—no middlemen, no markup, just viral videos and suspiciously cheap “dupes.”
Read More: TikTok Sues US Government Over Potential Ban
As former President Donald Trump rolls out sweeping tariffs—145% on Chinese imports—social media has become ground zero for a new kind of retail rebellion. Dozens of viral TikToks are now showcasing factory workers and influencers flaunting yoga pants and handbags that look eerily similar to those from brands like Lululemon and Louis Vuitton, for a fraction of the price.
One creator, standing in front of what she claims is a production site, boasts, “The material and the craftsmanship are basically the same because they come from the same production line.” Her $5 leggings video has already racked up nearly 10 million views.
Another TikToker, broadcasting from a warehouse, claims to sell “Louis Vuitton-quality” bags for $50, supposedly from the same manufacturers. The brands, of course, have denied these claims. Louis Vuitton maintains it does not produce goods in China, while Lululemon told The Independent that only 3% of its finished products are made in mainland China, and all its factories are listed on its official site.
Experts warn that many of these videos are likely crafted by counterfeit sellers leveraging the tariff drama to push knockoffs disguised as factory-direct deals. “They're very clever with their social media, and they’re very effective at driving demand in the West,” said Conrad Quilty-Harper, creator of Dark Luxury, a newsletter that tracks the luxury industry. “They’re trying to conflate fake manufacturers with the real ones.”
The timing of this TikTok flood isn't accidental. The U.S. is tightening loopholes—specifically the $800 de minimis rule, which previously allowed low-cost imports to bypass tariffs. That exemption ends on May 2. In response, manufacturers appear to be pushing hard to get in front of U.S. consumers while they still can.
The Chinese government has responded to Trump’s tariffs with a 125% tax on American imports, escalating tensions between the two countries. In the middle of this digital tug-of-war, TikTok has become an unlikely battleground.
Some Americans are actually cheering the transparency. A few TikTok users are calling out the high markups of Western brands and praising the factories for lifting the curtain on luxury pricing. But the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has its eye on this trend—it seized an estimated $1.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods in 2023 alone.
“This is part of a huge geopolitical battle between America and China over intellectual property,” Quilty-Harper added. “And it's just fascinating to see this sort of propaganda fight happening on these very high-traffic TikTok videos.”
As the trade war plays out on a global scale, one thing’s clear: the battle for your wallet might just be happening on your For You page.
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This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here