Why Chinese manufacturers are going viral on TikTok

The backlash against luxury brands for underpaying workers has fueled TikTok videos revealing the insides of Chinese manufacturing—how materials cost just pennies to make, how factories operate, and where their products come from. These videos, which also highlight lower prices compared to name-brand alternatives even with tariffs, have become a new marketing strategy by Chinese manufacturers aiming to bypass middlemen for direct consumer access. Platforms like DHgate are now offering direct factory sales, making their products more accessible—and in one case, even beating ChatGPT in U.S. app downloads.