As the tariff war between the U.S. and China intensifies, the popularity of DHgate, a Chinese e-commerce platform known for its fake products, is soaring as Americans demand to buy cheap Chinese knockoffs.
Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 15th (local time) that DHgate, dubbed a “little yellow app” among shoppers, jumped from outside the top 200 to second place in Apple’s free app ranking in the U.S. app store in just a few days. According to data from traffic tracking company Sensor Tower, DHgate is closely trailing ChatGPT.
On the 12th, DHgate recorded 35,400 downloads worldwide on the App Store and Google Play, an increase of 56% compared to the average of the 30th. According to a report by TechCrunch, downloads in the U.S. jumped 98 percent to 17,300. By the 13th, the number of iOS downloads worldwide had reached 117,500, up 732% from the monthly average. The number of installations in the U.S. increased 940% to 65,100.
At DHgate, it is easy for shoppers to find knockoffs of the Goyard handbags that are sold for around $20, but it is hard to find ones that cost more than $4,000. Yoga pants similar to Lululemon can also be purchased for around $10.
“We are grateful for this tremendous increase in traffic but remain humble,” DHgate said. “As a company deeply rooted in cross-border e-commerce, our focus is on improving the digital trade experience for consumers and small businesses around the world.”
Established in 2004, DHgate is a B2B wholesale platform that connects more than 2 million registered buyers in more than 220 countries, according to its official website. It provides about 30 million products across 26 categories, including electronics, household goods, toys, outdoor equipment, renewable energy solutions, and customized products.
The platform’s new popularity coincides with a period of heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China, according to the SCMP.
Currently, the U.S. tariff rate on Chinese products stands at 145%. This includes the recently announced mutual tariffs on the 20% tariff rate imposed by President Donald Trump earlier this year on charges of involvement in fentanyl trafficking in China. China has also retaliated by raising the tariff rate on U.S. products to 125%.
As the tariff war between the U.S. and China intensifies, the method of purchasing Chinese products at a low price is gaining popularity in the U.S. On TikTok, a video platform, a video that sells counterfeits of Chinese designer brands at a low price is going viral. Some Chinese manufacturers posted videos on TikTok and others saying that more than 80 percent of luxury handbags are produced in China and sold overseas after repackaging.
According to Bloomberg News, videos on social networking services (SNS) such as TikTok and X are spreading to reveal the manufacturing costs of famous brand products such as Hermes luxury bags, Nike sneakers, and Lululemon leggings. Some observers say that such videos are intended to stimulate public opinion in the U.S. criticizing the tariff war triggered by President Trump.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
