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By Dr. Suman Kumar Regmi

On March 10, 2025, China imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on a variety of U.S. agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, and cotton. This move came in response to the U.S. government’s decision, under former President Trump, to introduce a blanket 20% tariff on all Chinese imports in the final week of March.

Despite these rising tensions, vendors and shoppers at bustling Chinese markets showed little concern. Sellers in downtown Beijing reported steady foot traffic and minimal impact on sales. “If prices rise, people simply avoid imported items,” a fruit vendor remarked. “They’ll buy more local goods instead—and most are fine with that.”

Stalls offering a wide variety of produce—from bananas and strawberries to durian and mangosteen—sourced both locally and internationally, reflected a diverse marketplace. Yet, vendors noted that Chinese-grown fruits generally sell better, largely due to their freshness and customer trust. While some sellers continue to carry U.S. products, many are increasingly turning to alternatives from countries such as Thailand and Malaysia.

In April 2025, the trade conflict intensified when China retaliated with a steep 125% tariff on American products, following the U.S.’s earlier imposition of a 105% tariff on Chinese goods. However, tensions began to ease after both nations signed a bilateral agreement on June 29, 2025, aimed at de-escalating the trade war. The move has been widely welcomed as a step toward restoring global trade stability and peace.

For many Chinese consumers, the country of origin matters less than product quality. “I care about what I eat—not where it comes from,” said a 65-year-old retiree visiting her children in Beijing. Still, she acknowledged a preference for foreign brands when it comes to sensitive items like milk and infant formula. Public trust in Chinese food safety remains fragile, especially after the 2008 melamine-tainted milk scandal, which killed six infants and sickened hundreds of thousands. Although the government has pledged stricter food safety regulations, incidents like the 2022 Shuanghui hygiene scandal—where meat dropped on the floor was repackaged—have kept public skepticism alive.

In March 2021, the Research Budget Lab estimated that U.S. tariffs could drive short-term price increases of 65% for clothing and 87% for leather goods. These hikes disproportionately affect lower- and middle-income consumers, prompting many to explore cost-saving alternatives like online resale platforms, consignment shops, and thrift stores. Pre-owned items, often exempt from tariffs unless imported, offer an affordable and increasingly popular solution.

Analysts believe resale channels that offer strong value will thrive amid market uncertainty. However, questions remain. Will secondhand sellers raise prices in response to increased demand? Will consumers permanently shift their buying habits?

A retired fashion executive who sells designer clothing through peer-to-peer marketplaces expressed cautious optimism. “Until people feel the sticker shock, it’s hard to say. But rising tariffs will definitely make consumers rethink their choices and consider alternative shopping avenues.”

The secondhand clothing market was already on the rise before the current wave of tariffs. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major management consulting firm predicted that global revenues from pre-owned fashion would grow over ten times faster than new retail apparel. Shoppers are not only looking to save money but also seeking to make environmentally conscious decisions. While millennials have led the trend, data now suggests the customer base is expanding across generations.