As the U.S.-China tariff war intensifies, a video revealing the costs of high-end consumer goods filmed in Chinese factories is attracting significant attention in the United States.
Recently, videos revealing the manufacturing costs of famous brand products, such as Hermes luxury bags, Nike sneakers, and Lululemon leggings, have been posted in succession on TikTok, a Chinese video-sharing platform, and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). These videos are spreading rapidly without any verification of their authenticity, and some have recorded millions of views.
On the 13th, a video was released on X stating that the cost of the Hermes Birkin bag, regarded as a high-end luxury item, is $1,395 (approximately 2 million won), while the actual selling price reaches $38,000 (approximately 54 million won). The view count for this video has reached 7.8 million.
A representative from a Chinese factory featured in the video explained in fluent English the detailed costs of the leather and various materials needed to produce the bags, claiming that 90% of the Birkin bag's price is for the 'Hermes logo value.'
Another TikTok influencer exposed that 'Lululemon yoga leggings sold for over $100 in the U.S. are actually made in Chinese factories for around $5 to $6,' adding, 'the materials and craftsmanship are fundamentally the same.'
In response, Lululemon stated, 'Only 3% of finished goods are produced in mainland China,' adding that 'authentic leggings can only be purchased at Lululemon stores and official websites.'
Bloomberg reported that these videos, primarily filmed in Chinese factories, aim to expose how most consumer goods are produced in China, the world’s second-largest economy. Furthermore, they are not just simple exposures but are also being utilized as a marketing tool to encourage direct purchases.
Many accounts released website addresses and contact information, promoting, 'Contact us directly to purchase these products at unbelievable prices.' This indicates that Chinese brand OEM (original equipment manufacturer) companies are trying to establish TikTok as a new distribution channel, and it may also serve to stimulate domestic public opinion criticizing the tariff war ignited by President Trump.
The emergence of these videos coincides with President Trump's recent imposition of high tariffs of up to 145% on China, escalating trade tensions.
In addition, both the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. have been consecutively posting messages criticizing U.S. tariffs on X, raising suspicions about a joint public relations campaign by China’s government and private sector.
Moreover, the recent popularity of content from China in a short time indicates growing concerns among American consumers about price increases due to high tariffs.
While it is unclear whether directly purchasing products from Chinese factories will allow one to evade all tariffs, Bloomberg noted that consumers in the U.S. are showing similar responses to reactions from various countries against the current tariff policies.