Supposed Chinese manufacturers are flooding TikTok with videos advertising their goods directly to consumers and exposing the markups imposed by third-party sellers and luxury brands.
The videos come in response to President Donald Trump imposing 145% total tariffs on Chinese goods, with exceptions for electronics such as laptops, cell phones, and semiconductors—though those exceptions are expected to be short-lived.
Now, these alleged Chinese manufacturers are hitting back by directly marketing to American consumers.
In one such viral video, a creator—whose account is no longer visible—claimed that “for the past more than 30 years, we have been the OEM [original equipment manufacturer] factory for most of the luxury brands around the world: Gucci, Prada, Coach, Louis Vuitton, you name it.”
“Now as the USA and its little European brothers are trying to refuse Chinese goods, don’t you think luxury goods are now trying to move their OEM out of China, yes they did,” he said. “But they failed, because the OEM factories out of China, they don’t have good quality control and they don’t have as good craftsmanship. Their workers are either too expensive or too lazy.”
“Why don’t you just contact us and buy from us, you won’t believe the prices we give you,” he added.
The veracity of the creator’s claims is unclear. While some of the listed brands do disclose that some of their production may occur in China, other brands such as Louis Vuitton say they do not manufacture in China.
The videos play off a recent false trend percolating on TikTok, that in the wake of Trump’s tariffs, the country legalized counterfeiting, allowing these factories to sell identical high-end goods on the cheap.
On the site, influencers are claiming a “nuclear” response, saying that Chinese factories are now allowed to sell “the exact same thing” on sites like AliExpress, meaning U.S. consumers can get products from Rolex, Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Tom Ford for “so much cheaper.”
However, despite the TikToks from factories, there is no new legalization of counterfeiting in China.
Another video, posted in February but now going viral, shows a creator stating that some of Lululemon’s yoga wear is actually from Xiang Long Clothing and Hung Qisun Clothing.
“I guess most of you know the price of Lululemon or other big brands, they sell you a legging pants for $100. And guess what, here in these two factories, you can get them for around $5-6. And what’s even better: the material and the craftsmanship are basically the same because they all come from the same production line.”
@lunasourcingchina Suppliers behind Lululemon!!! #sourcingtips #sourcingagent #yiwuagent #yiwuminigoods #yiwumarkets #Lunasourcingchina #chinasource #lululemon #lululemonaddict #alo #yoga #yogawear #activewear #fashion #leggings #factory#chinashipping #wholesale#shoefactory #leggingfactory #alibaba #directfactory ♬ original sound – LunaSourcingChina
But it’s not just supposed designer goods Chinese manufacturers are spotlighting on TikTok—it’s the price of standard, manufactured goods too.
“Ladies’ bags, only $ 2 each. The minimum order quantity for wholesale is 500 pieces,” stated one Chinese TikTok creator.
@luoluo.sunny Ladies’ bags, only $ 2 each. The minimum order quantity for wholesale is 500 pieces. Please contact me if you are interested.#Bags #clothes #dress #wholesale #supplier #saudi #arebia ♬ 原聲 – luoluo Sunny
Many social media users appear to be loving the trend as a grassroots response to tariffs.
“Please go look up your favorite brand and China warehouse on TikTok,” stated one viral post on X. “They are really fighting back. They said those leggings yall pay $100 for at Lululemon, we’ll sell it to you for $5 and help you get it back to the states.”
“ordering my $2 Hermes purse from a warehouse in China,” joked one TikToker.
@vitanibeauty pleasure doing business with you #tariffs #china ♬ 原聲 – 一曲入心
“I ordered a LV bag 
It probably wont arrive until Christmas but I’m here for this new chapter of capitalism,” stated one of the top replies.
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