Viral TikTok videos promote luxury goods from China, dodging US tariffs under Trump

By Fidan Ibrahimova
April 17, 2025 12:30 Updated 22d ago
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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.

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News Politics Trump China Tariffs
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