TikTok Trade War Trend Boosts Chinese E-commerce App DHgate to Top of US App Store

A viral TikTok trend centered around Trump's increased tariffs on Chinese imports has catapulted DHgate, a Chinese wholesale marketplace app, to the No. 3 position in the U.S. App Store. The app's sudden popularity comes after Chinese suppliers and manufacturers began posting videos on TikTok revealing the relationship between Chinese manufacturing and global luxury goods.

The videos claim that many products marketed as European luxury items are actually manufactured in China before being shipped to Europe, where brands add their logos and "Made in Italy" or "Made in France" labels. One viral creator suggested that a $38,000 Birkin bag costs only around $1,400 to produce, with consumers primarily paying for branding and packaging.

This revelation sparked American consumers' interest in DHgate, a cross-border e-commerce platform that connects buyers directly with Chinese suppliers and manufacturers. The app offers over 30 million products across various categories including electronics, apparel, jewelry, and home goods.

According to data from Appfigures:

• DHgate jumped from No. 352 to No. 3 in the U.S. App Store's free iPhone apps category within days

• On April 12, the app saw 35,400 downloads across iOS and Android, a 56% increase from its 30-day average

• On April 13, iOS installs surged to 117,500, representing a 732% increase from the 30-day average

• U.S. downloads specifically increased by 940% on April 13

While the trend has driven consumers to seek direct access to Chinese manufacturers, distinguishing between authentic contracted factories and those producing unauthorized copies remains challenging. Some online communities like Reddit's r/DHgate attempt to help consumers navigate these waters.

The trend emerged following Trump's implementation of a 145% increase in tariffs on Chinese imports, which prompted Chinese manufacturers to share industry insights with American consumers through social media.