China Circumvents U.S. Tariffs: The Business of False Origins

Through counterfeit certificates of origin and strategic logistics, China is evading U.S. tariffs. Southeast Asia has become a hub for a global shadow trade.

How do Chinese goods, subject to 145% punitive tariffs, transform into products from Vietnam, Malaysia, or Thailand? Chinese platforms like WeChat and Xiaohongshu (RedBook) provide the answer: “Chinese goods subject to tariffs? Reroute through Malaysia—they become Asian!” or “High tariffs on toothpicks? Malaysia takes over the origin for smooth U.S. imp…