Colombia begins process to join BRICS bank
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
As the US-China trade war escalates under President Donald Trump’s administration, viral TikTok videos are encouraging Americans to bypass tariffs by buying directly from Chinese factories, sparking fresh concerns over counterfeit goods and luxury brand credibility.
Dozens of viral TikTok videos are urging US consumers to purchase luxury-style goods directly from Chinese factories to dodge tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, in what appears to be a growing trend of social media-fueled retail defiance amid the intensifying US-China trade war.
These videos — many boasting millions of views — claim to offer high-end products from brands like Lululemon, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes at a fraction of retail prices. One video with nearly 10 million views features a seller advertising yoga pants allegedly from the same factory that supplies Lululemon, priced at just $5 to $6 compared to the US retail price of around $100.
Another popular video shows a Chinese woman introducing what she claims is “China’s biggest luxury wholesaler,” showcasing rows of Hermes and Louis Vuitton bags priced between $250 to $500. The bags normally retail for thousands of dollars in official US stores.
“Thanks to President Trump’s recent tariffs, Chinese manufacturers for luxury brands are coming out of the woods and offering direct sales to the US at a pinch of the price,” the woman claims while modeling various bags inside a wholesale warehouse.
Though none of the featured brands have officially responded to the viral videos, Lululemon told The Independent that only about 3% of its final products are made in China, and it maintains a publicly available list of authorized suppliers. Louis Vuitton has repeatedly denied manufacturing any products in China.
Despite brand denials, the allure of cheap “luxury” goods has captivated TikTok users. Commenters have praised the videos for exposing a less glamorous side of the luxury fashion industry — one that’s increasingly under scrutiny.
Big-name brands have previously come under fire for unethical practices in their global supply chains. A Forbes report last year cited a Milan court filing that described how “Made in Italy” Dior handbags were being produced in Italian factories for as little as $57 by subcontracted Chinese-owned manufacturers — only to be resold for up to $2,800.
While the authenticity of products promoted in the TikTok videos remains questionable, the trend underscores the challenge luxury brands face in controlling supply chains — and the unintended consequences of Trump's tariff strategy, which some say is driving consumers directly into the arms of overseas sellers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
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Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that India is opening up 200,000 square kilometers of its sedimentary basin for oil and gas exploration, inviting Russian companies to participate.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
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