As the United States was reeling from the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Chinese factories quickly mobilized to produce commemorative T-shirts. Within hours of the incident, Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao began selling T-shirts featuring an Associated Press photo of a bleeding, fist-pumping Trump being escorted by Secret Service agents. The shirts bore slogans such as “Fight! Fight! Fight!” and “Shooting Makes Me Stronger!” and were priced as low as $4 each.
Rapid Sales and Censorship
The swift production and sale of these T-shirts highlighted the efficiency of China’s manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. Taobao vendor Li Jinwei reported to the South China Morning Post that more than 2,000 orders were placed within three hours of listing the T-shirts. However, by Monday, Chinese authorities had censored the T-shirts from internet search results within China. Despite this domestic restriction, manufacturers continued to target the overseas market, leveraging platforms like Temu and Shein to capitalize on the demand.
The Role of Temu and Shein
Temu and Shein, known for their ability to rapidly produce and distribute low-cost clothing, played a significant role in this scenario. These platforms worked with numerous suppliers to quickly respond to consumer demands, illustrating the agility of China’s supply chain. On Temu, various versions of the Trump T-shirts, including those with slogans like “Make America Great Again,” were sold for around $8.49 each.
The ‘Internet Celebrity Economy’
The phenomenon underscores what Yue Su, principal China economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, describes as the “internet celebrity economy.” This business model relies on capitalizing on online traffic and rapidly responding to cultural moments or breaking news. Such agility is crucial for manufacturers, especially amid China’s economic slowdown.
Economic Context and Challenges
China’s economy grew by 4.7 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, a rate better than the pandemic era but slower compared to previous decades. The property sector’s contraction and consumer frugality have exacerbated economic challenges. Retail sales grew by only 2 percent year-on-year in June, falling short of projections. To compensate for subdued domestic consumption, Chinese manufacturers have increasingly targeted international markets. Export growth of 8.6 percent year-on-year has been driven by higher global demand for goods, with manufacturing growth reaching its fastest rate in two years, according to the Caixin Purchasing Managers Index.
Potential Impact of Trump’s Re-Election
While Chinese businesses currently benefit from selling Trump-related merchandise, their fortunes could change if Trump is re-elected. His previous term saw a trade war with China, characterized by tariffs and accusations of unfair trade practices. Both Trump and Biden have proposed new tariffs, but Trump has suggested tariffs as high as 60 percent on all Chinese imports. Such tariffs would significantly reduce imports from China, potentially halving the country’s GDP growth rate, as per UBS research.
Conclusion
The swift production and sale of Trump-related T-shirts following the assassination attempt highlight the responsiveness of China’s manufacturing sector. This incident also underscores the economic strategies Chinese businesses employ to navigate domestic challenges and leverage international markets. However, the potential political ramifications of Trump’s re-election pose a significant risk to these businesses, illustrating the complex interplay between global events, economic policies, and manufacturing dynamics.
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