Amid Trump’s Tariff War Chinese TikTokers Reveal The Actual Cost Of Pricey Lux Brands Like Hermes; Internet Is Amused

You kinda always had a raging suspicion, no? About the gutter behind the glitter? About the actual price behind ‘em hefty price tags? What sells for millions mustn’t be so exquisite after all! The prized possessions of the super rich—bags from the house of Hermes and Birkins, among other luxury brands, that cost more than your collective generational wealth—may not be worth the retail price. Amid the ongoing Trump Tariff war, the Chinese influencers have allegedly added more fuel to the fire. In the now several viral TikTok videos, various content creators on the platform are claiming how super expensive luxury bags like a $34,000 Birkin Bag don’t cost more than $1400 to make in China.

These viral videos claim that these unlabeled goods are of the same quality, barring the brand name. They also claim that the leather and other goods used to produce one bespoke bag are sourced from the same suppliers and hence there’s no compromise with the finish. Sellers online are now offering the luxury knockoffs at dirt-cheap rates with free global shipping. The average American social media user is beyond euphoric at the revelation without fact-checking.

China is definitely having their moment… The tea is steaming hot 🥵 pic.twitter.com/5OAYHeo5NG— Meidas_Charise Lee (@charise_lee) April 12, 2025

The real cost of #Birkin bag and what you are really paying for.🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/WQTHFL2jKD— Humanbydesign (@Humanbydesign3) April 13, 2025

Les contrats de confidentialité ont été levés : Ce chinois dit la vérité sur le Birkin de chez Hermès vendu 28 500€.
Il est fabriqué en Chine et son prix sorti d’usine est de 600$ pic.twitter.com/tJUbcmy6iK— JusteLeila (@juste12113) April 14, 2025

Meanwhile, Derek Guy, in his explainer thread on X/Twitter, stated that the viral video’s claim of Hermes-equivalent bags by Chinese suppliers might not hold water. He cited several reasons, including the exquisite handcrafted/sewing technique perfected over hundreds of years that goes into the production of every single luxury product. However he also posted Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Japanese artisans, among others, who does a near-perfect job like the Hermes

This video has made the rounds on nearly every social media platform—and like others in its genre, it’s led people to reduce fashion production to overly simplistic narratives.

So let’s take a look at why this bag might not be quite the same as the one you’d find at Hermès. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/UpqBRSjJ54— derek guy (@dieworkwear) April 14, 2025

So what sets Hermès bags apart? A key element lies in how it’s sewn. Hermès employs a technique called the saddle stitch. The maker first pierces the leather with an awl, then threads two needles through each hole from opposite sides, arms stretching wide like a bird’s wings. pic.twitter.com/oM6UgnrMvQ— derek guy (@dieworkwear) April 14, 2025

There are plenty of Asian makers who do incredible work: Hosoi (France), Saic Firenze (Italy), Ortus (Japan), Atelier Shiang (Taiwan), and Shiue Wen Jhuang (also Taiwan).

My favorite is a Vietnamese-American woman named Bellanie Salcedo, one half of Chester Mox in the US. pic.twitter.com/u3aRG6eVn2— derek guy (@dieworkwear) April 14, 2025

See Also: Russian Embassy Trolls Donald Trump’s Tariff War With A Hilarious Meme; Elon Musk Drops A LOL Emoji

See Also: After Russia, The Chinese Embassy Trolls USA With Hilarious Trump Tariff Meme; Internet Brings Popcorn