Amid the escalating US-China trade war, a report in the Glitz says China may give free rein to counterfeiters, particularly those which target luxury brands in America, in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs. Amid this, TikTok is flooded with videos that show how luxury brands manufacture their products in China.
Trump has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, and in its own tit-for-tat tariffs, the Xi Jinping government imposed 125% tariffs. China has now urged Washington to “completely cancel” what it calls the unfair practice of reciprocal tariffs.
“We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
The statement followed Trump’s 90-day pause on the new tariffs he announced during his April 2 Liberation Day speech. The Trump administration on Friday announced exemptions for some electronic products, including those manufactured in China, saying that the administration is preparing to introduce a separate “semiconductor tariff”, which would be announced at a later date.
One X (formerly Twitter) user shared a video of a man advertising counterfeit products of popular luxury brands and said, “China TikTok is so messy right now because now that the Chinese government legalise counterfeit products of all American goods because of the tariffs their now exposing a lot of big brands and how their stuff is manufactured and encourages you to buy them in house….”
In the video, a man, while showing several bags that resemble luxury brands’ styles, says, “For more than the last 30 years, we have been the OEM factory for most of the luxury brands from around the world. You name it…. But for this, I am not proud because we were only making our wages, and the profit margin for those who are actually making the bags is very low….”
He continues, “We have the best quality control. We have the best craftsmanship, you know Chinese craftsmanship is always intelligent and diligent. We also have the most complete supply chain. We always get what we want, like zippers, accessories of any kind, any colour and leather immediately.”
“Now, as the USA and its little European brothers are trying to refuse Chinese goods, don’t you think luxury brands are not trying to move their OEM out of China. Yes, they did, but they failed as OEM factories outside China don’t have good quality and they don’t have good craftsmanship like China,” he further said, before urging people to directly buy bags from him.
China TikTok is so messy rn Because now that the Chinese government legalize Counterfeit products of all American goods because of the tariffs their now exposing a lot of Big brands and how their stuff is manufactured and encourages you to buy them in House China for cheaper pic.twitter.com/GLftzEnF3y
— Klair-O-Spinach ( Saint Era) (@ClairoSpinach) April 12, 2025
Another video shows a woman talking about suppliers behind the luxury brand Dior. She said, “Their knits and cardigans are from Beyond Garments from Hangzhou, which is also the supplier behind many luxury brands like Sandro, Maje, Versace….”
“Dior’s cosmetic products are actually produced by Thai Ho Group, which is also the supplier behind Lancome and L’Oréal…,” she added.
Like their just Airing it out out there now they don’t give af anymore 😭 pic.twitter.com/QAPKudv64y
— Klair-O-Spinach ( Saint Era) (@ClairoSpinach) April 12, 2025
In yet another video, a woman said that the luxury brands will hate her for revealing the secret behind their suppliers. She then named a few brands and revealed the name of their supplier.
)/&/$&/&: pic.twitter.com/5Pnc9Ogjqx
— Klair-O-Spinach ( Saint Era) (@ClairoSpinach) April 12, 2025
In response to the videos on social media, one X user wrote, “Oh, let me get an LV bag for cheap then.”
“They think this is a good move, and it absolutely is not… they’re supremely confused about what makes someone buy a luxury bag,” said another.
A third joined them and said, “You can copyright a logo. You can’t copyright a design. I can’t speak to the quality delta between the real and knockoff.”
“So in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs, China is blowing the lid off of and undercutting European luxury brands? Lmao…,” said a fourth.
A fifth commented, “Chinese manufacturing companies selling designer products they produce directly to customers without the status cache and scarcity of the luxury brands they typically produce for is like when Twitter/X started selling blue check marks.”
“I can see Trump coming for TikTok soon,” joked an Internet user.
Another said, “I’m torn on this TikTok drama exposing luxury brands. It’s wild seeing Chinese factories reveal how they make Gucci bags for pennies, then we pay thousands here. Part of me gets the trade war pushback, but I worry about quality and ethics with counterfeits. Still, if it’s the same factory, same materials, why the huge markup? Makes you think twice about that ‘Made in Italy’ label. I’d rather brands be transparent than play these games. What do you all think? Let’s talk.”