06:00
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.
Viral TikTok videos promote luxury goods from China, dodging US tariffs under Trump
Reuters
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.
05:00
Ministers resign one by one as protests grow in Libya’s Government of National Unity
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
04:00
Supreme Court blocks Trump’s use of wartime law for deportations
The US Supreme Court on Friday paused President Donald Trump’s attempt to carry out deportations using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, siding with a group of Venezuelan immigrants in Texas who argued they were at risk of sudden removal under the rarely used wartime law.
03:30
North Korean fishermen stuck in South as Pyongyang cuts contact
Two North Korean fishermen picked up by South Korean patrols in March remain stranded in the South as Pyongyang refuses to respond to requests for their return.
03:15
Moody’s strips US of last top credit rating over debt concerns
The US has lost its final AAA credit rating after Moody’s downgraded the country to Aa1, citing growing deficits and mounting debt as risks to long-term fiscal health.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment