To prove tariffs interfere with real people trying to conduct real business with real people in other countries—that is, they’re not merely government-to-government actions—Chinese influencers have taken to TikTok to demonstrate how Western companies manufacturing in China are ripping off their customers.

Oh, it’s hilarious. As a husband who’s bought his wife more than a few stupidly expensive handbags, this is a reckoning I’ve long awaited.

Clearly, the Chinese people are pissed off about the tariffs. But like so many things about the Chinese, they do things differently. Like revenge.

You’d think it’s enough that Xi Jinping’s government didn’t take any guff from the Trump Administration and immediately enacted retaliatory tariffs. On this side of the world, watchers claim China “blinked” and should’ve taken America’s broadside with dignity. But the Chinese have been around for 5,000 years and will likely be around for 5,000 more. They do things the Chinese way. Or, at least for now, the Communist Party of China way.

But first, a bit of history.

Balenciaga and Other Plastic Bags

Back in 2017, there was a hilarious episode between IKEA and Balenciaga. IKEA’s giant blue tote bags inspired one of Balenciaga’s designers to create an upscale version costing an eyewatering $2,145. To Balenciaga’s credit, at least the upscale bag was made of glazed leather.

Of course, the Internet had a field day with it. But IKEA came up with the best ad, poking fun at Balenciaga.

Credit: acmecollective

But when it comes to Louis Vuitton, I use that brand as an idiotmeter. For instance, take this Petit Palais Monogram hand bag.

Inside the description box (red), it reads “Monogram coated canvas, Textile lining, and Natural cowhide-leather trim.” So, the only part of the bag that’s leather is the trim. And yet, LVMH has no trouble pricing this bag at $2,840.

You’d think this is stupid enough, but a men’s golf bag from Louis Vuitton will set you back $22,600:

And yet, the bulk of the bag is also made with canvas! I looked up the equivalent bag from Callaway, a respected golf company. Its bags are 90% cheaper, at $229.00.

Don’t get me wrong: I love luxury. I just bought a leather weekender from Tuscany Leather for our weekend trip to Switzerland. It cost $410, but I expect to bequeath it to Micah some day.

My beef is that much of the “luxury” Westerners buy is cheap crap with exorbitant markups. And thanks to The Donald’s tariffs, the Chinese are starting to speak up about it.

Not Everything China Makes is Cheap

Now, Chinese influencers on TikTok have taken to the video service to explain to Westerners that the cost of many of their luxury goods will radically increase over the next few weeks. They are proud that most of these goods are “Made In China” and that places like Italy and France only slap on their “Made In” labels at the last minute.

Normally, I’d dismiss this as irrelevant. But this time, the Chinese can fundamentally change how Western buyers feel about these outrageously priced products.

And if China or the Chinese succeed, will that take down the luxury market?

Since TikTok may still be an issue in the States, here are X links replicating the TikTok stories.

Credit:@CurtisGray

Credit:@Gordon_CRE

Credit:@ayooshveda

Or does this smack of a deeper problem for China?

Who Wins the Trade War?

Since I lived in the Far East for 13 years, I’m not nearly the China bear that some of my colleagues are. However, that’s why it’s even more vital for me to listen to what they say, read what they read, and watch what they watch. We all have biases, and it's critical to be aware of them and correct for them.

Good friend and colleague Byron King shared this video on our editorial chat board about China’s dire position in this tariff-induced trade war.

Thanks to The Donald keeping us all on our toes, I don’t know how this will end. But I’m starting to come around to the idea that China, as an export-led economy, will have trouble turning their ship inward, inducing more domestic demand.

Of course, they will talk tough, and they have, about trading with the rest of the word and not the U.S. But the rest of the world doesn’t have the available capital to buy Chinese goods in such huge quantities.

Wrap Up

Have a laugh about the stupidity of people merely shopping for labels instead of high quality products. They deserve it.

But I bet many of them will regret being so liberal with their cash. And that may bring about an enormous change in their buying habits.

Will that make them buy only “Made in the USA” products? Or will they be more open-minded about Chinese products without Western labels?

Only time will tell.

Right now, I’d worry if I were the CEO of a Western luxury brand importing Chinese goods and slapping “Made in Italy” labels on them.