In today's world, attention is everything.  The more time people spend looking at something- a video, a product, or an article- the more useful it becomes.  This is referred to as the attention economy, and China is playing this game better than ever, better than most.  Even while meta’s apps like Instagram and Facebook are banned in the nation, Chinese retailers and content creators are using platforms like TikTok (owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance) to reach people all over the world, particularly in the United States.

So, what exactly are they doing?  TikTok has recently been filled with videos showcasing Chinese manufacturers producing high-end luxury goods like Hermès bags and Birkenstock footwear.

These videos are an eye-opener on how simple and inexpensive it is to purchase things straight from manufacturers at cheaper deals than blindly spending money on flashy goods, targetting hefty pockets of the rich and create the illusion of income gap. The videos give off that pleasant "behind-the-scenes" vibe that Gen Z craves, but they also convey a message: why pay $1,000 when you can have this for $30?

 

Why is China all over our feed?

This is happening at a time when the US has imposed hefty tariffs, now up to 245%  on Chinese goods, particularly during and after the Trump administration's trade war moves. These tariffs were designed to harm Chinese exports, but rather than backing down, China simply changed its strategy. It now uses platforms like TikTok to sell products directly to American consumers, removing middlemen and avoiding traditional retail route. 

Apps like DHgate have grown extremely popular in this market. They connect consumers with Chinese sellers who sell everything from electronics to clothing to designer "dupes." While many of these things aren't true counterfeits (they don't feature brand logos), they do seem almost similar, which is enough to draw attention and increase sales. 

But there's a catch: these products aren't usually high quality, and they pose severe concerns about intellectual property, safety standards, and fair trade. Nonetheless, the marketing works. These TikTok videos are slick, addictive, and ideally intended to go viral, attracting millions of viewers and providing Chinese sellers a powerful edge against the intention economy, all while stepping on the traditional laws of international trade.

China is looting or better said, scavenging the attention economy to maintain its dominance over global purchasing patterns. It's not only about selling low-cost items but also about winning the long game of influence using social media. It also shows how fortunate it was for Tik Tok to not get banned, it’s just the right time to use the app as an American.