China’s ‘secret Soldiers’ Invade And Turn Us Opinion On Tariffs, Target Shoppers

Chinese factories are taking their products — and their transportation — consecutive to American TikTok and Instagram users. With U.S. tariffs threatening to thrust up prices, mill owners person been going viral for nan past 2 weeks, offering “luxury dupes” that look conscionable for illustration high-end brands but astatine a fraction of nan cost. From Lululemon leggings to what’s claimed to beryllium Hermes handbags, these posts are racking up millions of views. Influencers person turned this inclination into broadside hustles, linking followers to Chinese apps for illustration DHGate and Taobao. DHGate moreover cracked nan apical 10 astir downloaded apps successful nan U.S. this week. But it’s not conscionable commerce — it’s politics. Many users are now sympathizing pinch Chinese sellers, calling retired U.S. waste and acquisition policies and moreover declaring “China won this war.” Experts opportunity nan Chinese authorities whitethorn beryllium softly letting these videos flourish arsenic a shape of soft power—just arsenic discussions astir tariff hikes power up again. Luxury brands and platforms are fighting back, flagging counterfeit risks, but galore of nan videos support circulating. Is this nan early of world e-commerce? Or a integer grey area nan West isn't fresh for?