US tariffs hit supplies of summer essentials; Chinese firms find new growth points in other markets

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By Ma Jingjing (Global Times) 09:48, May 27, 2025

In interviews with the Global Times, these Chinese suppliers made it clear that it is their US clients and ultimately US consumers who will pay for higher prices even if certain products are being shipped to the US. Moreover, although their US orders are declining, businesses from other markets from Europe to South America are surging, offsetting their losses in the US market, they said.

Such a shifting dynamic further underscores the resilience of China's foreign trade sector, as companies proactively respond to challenges in certain markets by improving their products through innovation and find new growth points through diversification, a Chinese expert said.

Costlier essentials

"Recently, we successfully shipped two containers of umbrellas to the US. Following the announcement of tariff modification measures by China and the US, some US clients have expressed willingness to place orders on two containers of umbrellas, though a decision hasn't been made due to lingering tariffs," Zhu Yiqi, manager of Zhejiang Yiwu Qifeng Rain Gear Firm, told the Global Times.

The firm's products are attractive to US clients because of their cost advantages from large-scale production, supply chain reliability accumulated over the past 20 years and a swift after-sales service system, Zhu said.

A significant portion of American imports of summer essentials originate from China, including 96 percent of umbrellas and sun umbrellas, over 83 percent of certain footwear, and over 30 percent of swimwear, according to 2024 data from Supply Chain Dive, a global supply chain news outlet.

Xu Yongzhu, deputy manager with Qicaihu Garments Weaving Co, a swimsuit manufacturer in Jinjiang, East China's Fujian Province, told the Global Times that 80 percent of its US clients have now resumed price inquiries.

However, given the US' remaining tariff of around 30 percent on Chinese products, Xu said the company's exports will inevitably be affected.

Declining exports for Xu and other Chinese exporters could in turn mean limited options and higher prices for US consumers.

"Our products have high cost-performance. For example, a 9-yuan ($1.25) mini fan sold to US importers may be sold at $9 in supermarkets in the US. No matter how high the US tariff is, it is American consumers who pay the costs," Chen Jianping, manager of Jinyang Daily Use Products Factory, a manufacturer of mini fans in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang Province, told the Global Times.

Many US retailers have already said they will raise prices because of the US' additional tariffs. US companies that could raise prices on everyday items include Walmart, toy manufacturing giant Mattel and electronics retailer Best Buy, CNN reported on Saturday.

Some US consumers have already taken to social media to express frustration with the rising costs caused by the tariffs.

"Stop with the tariffs! Stop!" Cassie Medina, a self-described millennial mom from the US state of Texas, posted on TikTok recently, saying that "all I'm trying to do is order these bathing suits fam," according to a Washington Post report on May 10.

'Not afraid'

Meanwhile, Chinese firms interviewed by the Global Times said that although orders from the US are declining, they are well-prepared to deal with the challenge, as they have already seen growing demand from other parts of the world after years of diversification efforts.

"We conduct global business and thus are not afraid of US tariffs," Chen said, adding that his clients are now primarily from countries and regions including Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

A European client started cooperation with the company in 2018. For the first year, the client bought only several thousands of mini fans but after years of cooperation, the client now buys over 10 containers of the company's products every year and sell them to multiple countries, including Spain and Italy, according to Chen.