A viral trend on TikTok, dubbed “Chinese warehouse TikTok,” is pulling back the curtain on international manufacturing practices.

Many users claiming to be workers in Chinese factories are revealing how little U.S. brands pay to produce their goods — and urging Americans to buy directly from them.

Why It Matters

The surge in these videos follows President Donald Trump‘s imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese imports, raising levies to 145 percent in an effort to protect American manufacturers.

In response, China has imposed a 125 percent tariff on U.S. goods. The TikTok trend appears to be a strategic digital counteroffensive, giving Chinese producers a platform to reach U.S. consumers directly while sidestepping both tariffs and middlemen.

People work at a Christmas tree factory for export and domestic markets in Jinhua, China’s eastern Zhejiang province on April 11, 2025. People work at a Christmas tree factory for export and domestic markets in Jinhua, China’s eastern Zhejiang province on April 11, 2025. ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images

What to Know

Dozens of TikTok videos, some amassing millions of views, have circulated, featuring individuals standing in what appear to be factory floors or storage areas.

The users are claiming to sell “factory-direct” versions of products similar to those from brands like Lululemon and Louis Vuitton. The posters also assert that these goods, allegedly made in the same production lines as name-brand items, can be purchased for a fraction of the price if consumers bypass U.S. retailers.

This movement has sparked a broader conversation about transparency in retail pricing, the reach of Chinese social media influence abroad, and the ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

One widely circulated video shows a man claiming to Louis Vuitton bags are produced for as little as $50.

“Let me tell you a secret. Louis Vuitton has many Chinese suppliers. They just don’t admit it,” a man in what appears to be a Chinese warehouse said in a video posted by OneShaunda.

Another video features a user called ding53631purporting to offer Louis Vuitton-style bags for $4. Lululemon items have also been called out in popular TikTok videos.

However, both Lululemon and Louis Vuitton have denied the claims.

A spokesperson for Lululemon told Newsweek that they don’t work with the manufacturers in the videos and warned of counterfeit products. Louis Vuitton told The Independent that it does not manufacture goods in China at all.

Newsweek reached out to both companies for comment via email.

Experts say many of the TikTok videos are likely produced by counterfeit sellers aiming to exploit the current controversy over tariffs to promote imitation goods under the guise of factory-direct offers.

Most videos link directly to Chinese wholesale platforms and include instructions on how Americans can make purchases. Some also feature subtle critiques of U.S. tariff policy and accuse American retailers of excessive markups.

The trend has gained momentum as the U.S. prepares to close a longstanding tariff exemption on imports under $800 that’s set to expire May 2. The exemption allowed low-cost shipments to enter the U.S. without tariffs — a loophole many small importers, including TikTok sellers, previously used.

While TikTok has been banned in mainland China, Chinese users often post via its sister platform, Douyin. Douyin operates under stricter government controls, and while it shares some underlying technology with TikTok, its algorithms and user content are curated differently to align with Chinese state guidelines.

Newsweek reached out the U.S. Trade Representative’s office via email.

What People Are Saying

A spokesperson for lululemon told Newsweek: “Lululemon does not work with the manufacturers identified in the online videos and we urge consumers to be aware of potentially counterfeit products and misinformation. Accurate information on our current global manufacturing partners can be found in our supplier list, which details our verified and up-to-date supplier relations. Additionally, authentic lululemon products are only available for purchase at our lululemon store locations, registered lululemon e-commerce sites, and select authorized and specialty stores.”

Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: “What we’re seeing with these Chinese factory videos isn’t just a TikTok trend. It’s economic warfare playing out on our phone screens. These videos hit a nerve because they expose something we’ve all suspected: the emperor of luxury retail might not be wearing such exclusive clothes after all.”

Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: “China is ‘flooding the zone,’ to borrow a phrase from the Trump administration, with content designed to create confusion and reshape public opinion around current U.S. policies. By stoking division, they aim to destabilize the administration and amplify discomfort. This entire dynamic was set in motion by Trump’s trade war, which many argue could have been addressed diplomatically behind closed doors rather than through public escalation.”

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “It’s been widely known for years that many American brands have benefited from cheaper production costs internationally and enjoyed healthy profit margins when selling domestically. However, not seen in those videos are other accrued expenses, such as shipping, marketing, and other costs that drive up the price of some items. Don’t be shocked by some of these videos, but do take them with a grain of salt.”

What’s Next

Ryan said Trump’s tariffs have sparked the rebellion on social media, and Americans who feel price-gouged are likely to purchase products even if they aren’t actually associated with the companies they believe.

“Having consulted with retail brands for years, I can tell you the luxury market is more complex than these videos suggest. Louis Vuitton genuinely doesn’t manufacture in China, and companies like Lululemon only produce a small fraction of their goods there,” Ryan said. “What we’re likely seeing are sophisticated counterfeit operations seizing a marketing opportunity. They’re masters at blurring the line between ‘inspired by’ and ‘identical to.'”

Since luxury brands have historically succeeded based on their alleged exclusivity, the videos are forcing brands to justify their value proposition beyond just the logo, Ryan said.

“Smart luxury brands will respond with greater transparency about their craftsmanship and supply chains,” Ryan said. “The winners will be those who can prove their value beyond the label, while consumers gain more power to make inform.”