When JD Vance casually referred to “Chinese peasants,” he probably didn’t expect it to spark an international uproar. But that comment backfired BIG time.
His attempt to trash-talk China has ignited outrage online, with millions calling him out.
Here’s another viral storm you need to know about.
- China spills designer price secrets 💸
- 15% off + FREE reviews! 🎯
- 90-day tariff break, China’s storm continues 🌪️
- U.S. sellers hit hardest in tariff war 💥
- 4 tariff-era marketing hacks 📈
BLACK MARKET
After Trump announced a 145% tariff on China-made goods, China clapped back with its own 125% tariff hike.
But, just when you thought the U.S.–China tariff war couldn’t get wilder, China-based manufacturers took to TikTok to drop a bombshell: they’re the real MVPs behind your favorite luxury goods.
And now that tariffs are going up, they’re airing everything out.
The Root broke down the details.
- Birkin bags for $1K? Say less. 👜
- Turns out, those iconic Hermès Birkin bags that go for $10,000 to $2 million? China-based manufacturers say they cost just over $1,000 to make.
- And now? These factories are offering their own versions using the same materials, but without the fancy French label, directly to consumers.
- Chanel for $5?! 💄
- Another TikTok exposé showed that Chanel cosmetics, which easily run you $50 or more, allegedly cost just $5 to manufacture in China.
- Translation: we’ve all been bamboozled by a logo.
😂 TikTok goes crazy
The internet did what it does best: spiraled immediately.
- One user compared China’s info drop to The Real Housewives of Potomac—“binder and all.”
- Another said, “The U.S. went low. China is sitting next to the devil.”
People aren’t just shocked—they’re laughing, learning, and questioning whether a designer is really worth it anymore.
Watch the full clip here:
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BITES OF THE WEEK
- Roller-coaster Search Rankings: Google SERPs had some volatility on April 9-10, with some asking if it's another update.
- Resurrecting American Factories: Tariffs encourage businesses to relocate factories to the U.S. and avoid import taxes.
- Temu Dethroned: Temu is no longer the No.1 shopping app in the U.S. Apple Store.
- No to Price Hikes: According to Omnisend, 30% of consumers will stop buying from Shein and Temu if prices rise.
TRENDING TOPIC
90-day tariff relief for most, but China's storm continues
Good news for most countries! According to Supply Chain Dive, the U.S. is hitting pause on reciprocal tariffs for the next 90 days. But hold up, not everything is going on a break. Some tariffs are sticking around.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
⏸️ Paused tariffs
- 75+ countries are in talks with the U.S. to strike better trade deals, with Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and India leading the charge.
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the pause, so the relief is official for now.
▶️ Valid tariffs
- Sector-specific tariffs like those on steel, aluminum, and automotive goods are still in play.
- Canada and Mexico are still facing 25% tariffs on goods that don’t meet the USMCA standards.
- Earlier exceptions granted for certain goods will remain in effect.
🥊 China doesn’t get the same courtesy
In fact, tariffs on China imports have now reached an eye-popping 145%. And that’s where things get tricky.
With U.S.-China represents about 3% of global trade, the World Trade Organization is projecting a massive 80% drop in merchandise trade, leading to a potential 7% reduction in global GDP.
The economic ripple effect of this ongoing tension is something the entire world is watching closely.
CASH CORNER
U.S. sellers are the REAL casualty of the tariff war
As tensions escalate in the trade war, it's not just the global giants feeling the heat—small businesses are already facing an uphill battle. Take Casey Ames of Harkla, for example.
Fortune reported that Ames has built a $5M business primarily on Amazon. But thanks to the latest tariffs, his business is now facing an impossible choice.
🗑️ Tariffs crush hard work
- One inventory shipment that previously cost $4,700 in tariffs now comes with a $190,000 price tag.
- Ames says the math doesn’t work—he may be forced to shut down Harkla’s physical product line.
- At least half of his 10-person team could be laid off as a result.
- He’s pivoting focus to Harkla’s online education business to stay afloat.
- Attempts to source products from U.S. textile manufacturers have fallen flat—prices are still too high.
And Harkla’s not alone. Thousands of small U.S. businesses are facing similar make-or-break moments.
⛴️ Not in the same boat
But while U.S. sellers are drowning, Amazon and Chinese competitors are, in Ames' words, “going to be fine.”
Why?
- China-based sellers, even with tariff hikes, still offer lower prices than U.S. counterparts. They benefit from lower labor costs, stronger supplier relationships, and local manufacturing advantages.
- Amazon doesn’t take a hit—it collects fees from seller subscriptions, fulfillment services, and advertising.
Everyone may be navigating the same stormy seas of tariffs, but not everyone is in the same boat.
ACTIONABLE ADVICE
4 marketing strategies for the tariff era
Tariffs. Rising fees. Sky-high ad costs. Amazon sellers are facing pressure from all sides — but that doesn’t mean you stop marketing. It just means you market differently.
Modern Retail shared how sellers can pivot during these challenging times.
- Rethink your ad budget. More sellers are dialing down spend on mid- and upper-funnel Amazon ads and skipping the steep discounts during events like Prime Day. 💸
- Why: It’s all about protecting margins and spending where it counts.
- Play the full funnel. Sellers are investing in awareness and consideration, using off-Amazon channels to drive traffic and boost conversions. 🎯
- Why: You don’t need to focus solely on the purchase.
- Make AI work for you. To stay visible, brands are using AI tools to optimize titles, bullet points, and even sprinkle in shopper-focused FAQs. 🤖
- Why: Optimize your listings so you can show up when Rufus starts recommending.
- Tap into creator commerce. Influencers aren’t just for the ‘gram anymore. Programs like Amazon’s Creator Connections let you work directly with vetted affiliates on a revenue-share basis. 🤳
- Why: This approach is often more cost-effective than ads and feels much more authentic.
Sellers are trimming fat, stretching every dollar, and still showing up strong. The era of "more spend = more growth" is over. Now? It's all about working smarter.
Let the big dogs burn their budgets. You’ve got better moves.
