Viral TikTok videos promote Chinese factory buys to dodge US tariffs

16 Apr '25

2 min read

Viral TikTok videos promote Chinese factory buys to dodge US tariffs

Pic: humphery / Shutterstock.com

Insights

Viral TikTok videos are prompting US consumers to buy goods directly from Chinese factories, bypassing tariffs.
Creators claim major brand items like Lululemon leggings can be sourced for $5–6.
Lululemon has refuted such claims, stressing its controlled distribution.
The trend emerges amid heightened US-China trade tensions, with reciprocal tariffs now at 125 per cent.

A new wave of viral TikTok videos is shaking up US-China trade dynamics, as Chinese content creators encourage Americans to bypass tariffs by purchasing goods directly from factories in China. These videos—some with over 12 million views—claim that products from brands like Lululemon, Nike, and Ralph Lauren are available at a fraction of their retail prices.

One widely circulated video by @LunaSourcingChina showcases yoga leggings allegedly produced for just $5–6, while retailing in the US for over $100. The creator asserts that the materials and craftsmanship are “basically the same” as official merchandise, sparking questions around authenticity and brand protection.

Lululemon has publicly responded, emphasising that only a small share of its products are made in Mainland China and that authentic items are sold exclusively through its own channels, as per global media reports.

These viral claims come amid renewed US-China trade tensions and growing scrutiny of TikTok’s role in amplifying content that may challenge existing tariff policies.

Shortly after the US imposed higher reciprocal tariffs on multiple trading partners, US President Donald Trump paused these hikes for all except China, on which tariffs were raised to total 145 per cent, in addition to the tariffs that were already in place up untill January 2025. In retaliation, China announced a matching 125 per cent tariff on US goods, up from 84 per cent, thus fuelling the trade war.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)

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