Trump Tariffs Force Shein and Temu to Hike US Prices Starting April 25
Chinese retail giants Shein and Temu have issued public warnings to US customers that product prices will soon rise, citing soaring operating costs driven by President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports.
In statements shared with users, both companies said price adjustments would take effect starting April 25 due to “recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs.” While the two e-commerce rivals didn’t specify exact price increases, they signaled that the cost burden from the newly imposed duties is forcing their hand.
Since retaking office in January, Trump has introduced tariffs as high as 145% on certain Chinese imports. Combined with existing levies, the effective rate on some goods now reaches a staggering 245%. In addition, Trump’s administration has ended the $800 duty-free exemption for imported goods — a key factor that once helped Shein and Temu thrive in the US market.
Tariffs Hit Shein and Temu’s Popularity
The fallout has already started to show. Once among the most downloaded shopping apps in the US, Shein and Temu have slid down the Apple App Store rankings. Temu, which previously held a top-five spot consistently for two years, is now 75th. Shein is currently 58th, down from 15th just a month ago.
Meanwhile, advertising budgets have been slashed. According to market analysts, Temu halted all Google Shopping ads in the US as of April 9, and both companies have significantly reduced their average daily ad spending on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sensor Tower data shows Temu’s US ad spend dropped 31% in the first two weeks of April, while Shein’s fell by 19% over the same period.
Chinese Shopping Apps Brace for Disruption
Though Shein and Temu are seeing a dip in app popularity and ad presence, other Chinese retailers appear to be picking up the slack. DHgate now ranks second among free apps on the US Apple Store, with Alibaba’s Taobao in seventh place.
Still, Shein and Temu are attempting to cushion the blow. Both firms urged customers to shop before the price hikes go into effect and reassured buyers of continued efforts to maintain affordability. “We’re doing everything we can to keep prices low and minimize the impact on you,” the companies said.
What’s Next?
As US-China trade tensions intensify, the future of Chinese e-commerce platforms in the US remains uncertain. With Trump doubling down on tariffs and closing loopholes that once made low-cost imports viable, Shein and Temu may have to reevaluate their long-term strategies in the American market — or risk losing their competitive edge.
Alexander Zdravkov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alexander Zdravkov is passionate about questions of meaning. He is a fluent German speaker as well as He has been in the crypto space for more than three years and has an eye for spotting emerging trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or reporting on all topics on a daily basis, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does makes him a valuable addition to the team.
