From Factory to TikTok | Chinese Factories Court U.S. Shoppers Amid Trade Tensions

In response to rising U.S. tariffs, Chinese manufacturers are turning to TikTok and Instagram to market directly to American consumers. Viral videos filmed inside factories promote luxury-style goods like handbags, sneakers, and leggings at much lower prices, often claiming — sometimes with exaggeration — that the products are made in the same factories as major global brands. Despite questions about the authenticity of these claims, American consumers are showing strong interest, with influencers helping drive downloads of Chinese shopping apps like DHGate and Taobao. The trend reflects a broader shift in cross-border commerce, as factory owners bypass traditional brand channels to connect directly with U.S. shoppers, against a backdrop of rising trade tensions.

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