Chinese e-commerce apps dominate the US iOS store, with tariff policies spurring a "reverse purchasing" trend.

Taiwan • Business • 04/18 05:07
Chinese e-commerce apps dominate the US iOS store, with tariff policies spurring a "reverse purchasing" trend.

In April 2025, the United States imposed tariffs as high as 245% on Chinese goods, which unexpectedly prompted American consumers to shop directly on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as DHgate, Taobao, and Shein, and even travel to China to go on shopping sprees. These platforms experienced a surge in rankings on the US iOS App Store, with DHgate downloads increasing by 800% and Taobao downloads by 300%. This trend was driven by social media, as consumers looked to bypass brand markups and redefine the cross-border shopping experience.

Key Updates

04/19 06:37

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in the US and Canada Extended Until April 24: Due to the impact of tariff policies, accessory prices have increased, and "Mario Kart World" will launch simultaneously.

Nintendo originally planned to open pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States on April 9, 2025, but it was paused due to the announcement by former U.S. President Trump of a new tariff policy on April 8. After reassessment, Nintendo will reopen pre-orders for the U.S. and Canada on April 24, with the console and game prices remaining unchanged, but several peripheral accessories will have increased prices. The Switch 2 will be released on June 5, featuring the launch game "Mario Kart World" and offering bundle packages.

04/19 04:36

U.S.-China Trade War Escalates: U.S. Levies 145% Tariff on Chinese Toys, Toy Industry Faces Existential Crisis

President Trump of the United States imposed a 145% tariff on toys made in China, ending the tariff exemptions and causing a severe impact on the American toy industry. Approximately 80% of toys in the U.S. are imported from China, and the tariffs have led to price increases, leading to cash flow disruptions, order cancellations, and pressure on companies to lay off employees. Industry insiders note that shifting production lines to other countries is not feasible in the short term. Governor Newsom of California has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the tariffs, sparking backlash across the United States.

04/19 03:05

China stops importing US LNG, shifts to the UAE, signing a historic agreement: ADNOC opens an office in Beijing to strengthen energy cooperation.

Since February 6, 2025, China has not imported U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) for more than ten weeks due to a tariff increase to 49% and a government directive to halt transactions. On April 18, 2025, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced the establishment of an office in Beijing and signed long-term LNG supply agreements with three Chinese energy companies. Among these, a 15-year contract with ENN Energy has an annual supply volume of 1 million tons, marking the largest LNG transaction between China and Abu Dhabi, indicating a shift in China's energy import strategy towards the Middle East region and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

04/18 11:07

Due to trade tensions, China's airlines have suspended receiving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with several planes returning to the United States.

Chinese airline companies have suspended the receipt of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to the new round of U.S. tariff policies. At least one aircraft, which was originally scheduled for delivery to Xiamen Airlines, has been returned to Seattle from Zhoushan, Zhejiang. This action is linked to the rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as China has reportedly asked domestic airlines to suspend the purchase of American aircraft and components as a countermeasure. Consequently, Boeing's delivery process to China is encountering significant hurdles.

04/18 09:06

Apple CEO Tim Cook successfully secured tariff exemptions from the U.S. government for electronic products, helping ease U.S.-China trade tensions.

Amid rising US-China trade tensions and the US imposing a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, Apple CEO Tim Cook successfully communicated with high-level officials, including US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, to secure a temporary tariff exemption for products such as iPhones and Macs from the Trump administration. This move offers breathing space for Apple and other US tech companies like HP and Dell. Although the White House denies offering preferential treatment to specific companies, Trump admitted to having helped Cook, indicating that this resulted from high-level policy negotiations.

04/18 05:07

Chinese e-commerce apps dominate the US iOS store, with tariff policies spurring a "reverse purchasing" trend.

In April 2025, the United States imposed tariffs as high as 245% on Chinese goods, which unexpectedly prompted American consumers to shop directly on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as DHgate, Taobao, and Shein, and even travel to China to go on shopping sprees. These platforms experienced a surge in rankings on the US iOS App Store, with DHgate downloads increasing by 800% and Taobao downloads by 300%. This trend was driven by social media, as consumers looked to bypass brand markups and redefine the cross-border shopping experience.

04/18 02:38

The U.S. Imposes Port Fees on Chinese Ships as the Trump Administration Escalates the Trade War

On April 17, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced a port fee policy targeting Chinese ship port fees, set to take effect 180 days later. This policy originates from an investigation conducted during the Trump administration, accusing China's shipbuilding industry of gaining unfair advantages through subsidies and monopolistic practices. The new measures impose high fees on ships built in or owned by China, featuring tiered rates and exemption conditions, aiming to diminish China's influence in the global shipping industry and foster the growth of the American shipbuilding industry.

04/17 23:05

Starlux Airlines' Response to U.S. Ending Duty-Free Status for Chinese Imports: Monitoring a 90-Day Cargo Shipping Surge

The United States will cancel the duty-free policy for small air packages for imported goods from China on May 2, 2025, leading to fluctuations in the global air cargo market. According to Liu Yunfu, Chief Strategy Officer of Starlux Airlines, despite a "90-day shipping surge," shippers have not shown increased willingness to ship, indicating uncertainty in the market about the policy. Starlux Airlines offers slightly lower freight rates on North American routes compared to its competitors due to its different product mix and cargo size structure. This policy change presents a challenge for e-commerce platforms' small air package business.

04/17 18:05

Temu and SHEIN Adapt Strategies in Response to New U.S. Tariff Policy: Raise Prices and Reduce Advertising Costs

The United States has eliminated the "de minimis" tax exemption policy and levied high tariffs on Chinese goods, impacting Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu and SHEIN. Both companies have raised their U.S. prices as of April 25 and cut back on advertising expenses to manage rising costs. This action highlights how shifts in U.S.-China trade policies are affecting cross-border e-commerce, forcing these platforms to balance cost control with maintaining their market presence amid policy pressures.

04/17 16:37

Trump advocates for a 245% secondary tariff to counter China's influence: E-commerce shipping is rerouting through Southeast Asia, and Taobao's shipping costs could rise by 10% to 20%.

In early 2025, former U.S. President Trump initiated a 245% tariff on Chinese goods, leading to changes in global supply chains and cross-border e-commerce logistics models. Chinese e-commerce platforms and freight forwarders rerouted goods through Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other locations before exporting them to Taiwan and the U.S. to circumvent the high tariffs. This action increased transportation costs by 10% to 20% and extended delivery times up to a month, affecting platforms like Taobao. The U.S. removed the de minimis tax exemption threshold, further intensifying logistics pressure, turning Southeast Asia into a new hub for transshipment and production.

Chinese E-commerce Apps Skyrocket in US App Store Rankings

In mid-April 2025, a rare phenomenon occurred in the e-commerce category rankings of the US iOS App Store: three of the top five spots were taken by Chinese apps. According to multiple media reports, as of April 16, DHgate ranked first, followed closely by Taobao in second place, and SHEIN in fourth. This dominance by the "Chinese Big Three" signifies an unprecedented level of penetration by Chinese e-commerce platforms in the US market.

DHgate's performance was particularly outstanding. This e-commerce platform, primarily focused on B2B cross-border trade, saw its downloads surge by 800% month-on-month in April, propelling it from 352nd to second place on the US App Store's free chart, second only to ChatGPT. According to official data, over 3,000 US wholesalers compete for orders on the platform daily, highlighting its appeal to US small businesses and individual buyers.

Taobao's downloads also skyrocketed by over 300% in just a few days, with visits to clothing and 3C digital stores increasing by 1,000%. Data from Appfigures shows that Taobao rose from 461st on the overall chart on April 12 to 5th in just three days, ranking high in App Store charts in the US, Canada, the UK, and France.

Consumer Behavior Shift Under Tariff Pressure

Behind this wave of Chinese e-commerce app popularity is the US government's imposition of punitive tariffs of up to 245% on Chinese goods. Originally expected to curb imports of Chinese goods, the policy has instead led US consumers to find ways to bypass middlemen and brand markups. On social platforms like TikTok, tutorial videos on "how to shop on Taobao" have amassed over 200 million views, and topics like #ChinaFactory have sparked renewed interest in Chinese manufacturing.

A US consumer stated on TikTok: "A pair of leggings with a factory price of $5 in China sells for $100 at a US counter. Even with $10 shipping and a 245% tariff, the total price is only $27." This shift towards "de-branding" is leading more Americans to choose to buy directly from Chinese e-commerce platforms.

"Reverse Purchasing" Becomes a New Trend in Cross-Border Travel

In addition to online shopping, physical "reverse purchasing" has emerged as a new trend. According to Alipay data, in the first half of April 2025, the spending amount by US tourists using Alipay in China increased by 200% year-on-year. Many Americans choose to fly to China to shop in person, citing that "including airfare, it's still cheaper than buying in the US."

US influencer "lulu" shared on social media that she flies to China with empty suitcases specifically for "reverse purchasing." Her videos featuring her "shopping spree" at Yiwu Small Commodities Market, Shenzhen Huaqiangbei, and Hangzhou Sijiqing Clothing Market have attracted significant attention and imitation.

China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy and "buy and refund" departure tax refund service further reduce the barriers to shopping for foreign tourists. These policies, combined with promotional activities by e-commerce platforms, such as DHgate's "US Stockpile Promotion," have jointly driven this wave of cross-border consumption.

Data Reveals Shopping Frenzy

According to Newsweek, on April 12, DHgate's global downloads reached 35,400, with the US accounting for 17,300. The next day, the number surged to 117,500, with US users reaching 65,100, a 940% increase over the previous 30-day average. This data shows an explosive growth in US consumer demand for Chinese e-commerce platforms.

For Taobao, some merchants reported a flood of English inquiries in a short period, leading to temporary system outages. The inquiry and order volume for clothing and 3C digital products saw a thousand-fold increase. Chen Qiaozhi, founder of Taobao women's clothing store "Shenlang Plus Size," stated that since April 12, the store's overseas traffic and order volume have significantly increased, and they have started posting bilingual notices: "Welcome global customers to our small store."

Dual Drivers of Social Media and Supply Chain

Another driving force behind this shopping frenzy is the dissemination effect of social media. Numerous videos on TikTok reveal that luxury brands are actually made in China, raising consumer doubts about "brand premiums." Chinese e-commerce platforms quickly responded by launching plans like "Foreign Trade Selection" and "Exemption Mode" to help merchants reduce customs clearance costs by 15% to 20% and provide localized operation guidance and semi-managed services.

The success of DHgate and Taobao also benefits from China's mature supply chain system and flexible operational strategies. Even with high tariffs, the platforms manage to offer competitively priced products, attracting a large influx of overseas consumers.

References

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