President Donald Trump’s bold crackdown on China’s trade manipulation is already paying dividends—at least for American retailers. Following a decisive move to close a controversial trade loophole and slap massive tariffs on Chinese fast-fashion giants Temu and Shein, U.S. consumers are voting with their wallets—ditching foreign knockoff brands and rediscovering the value of shopping at American department stores.
According to new data shared exclusively with *The New York Post* by research firm Consumer Edge, spending growth at Temu—a Chinese e-commerce platform infamous for ultra-cheap imports—collapsed in April, nosediving from nearly 50% year-over-year growth at the start of the month to almost zero by the end. Shein, another Chinese mega-retailer, also suffered a steep decline, with growth dropping from 30% to just 20%.
The sudden slowdown is no accident. In early April, President Trump followed through on yet another campaign promise to put America First. He eliminated a trade loophole called the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed Chinese companies like Temu and Shein to flood the U.S. market with tax-free, low-cost goods—undercutting American brands and jobs in the process.
Trump also hit Chinese imports with a 120% tariff, though that rate was temporarily adjusted to 30% under a recent executive order. Even so, the damage to Temu and Shein was done. Facing skyrocketing import costs, the companies began raising prices and pulling Chinese goods from their websites altogether.
A perfect example? A basic \$11 phone screen protector—up 16% from its original price.
With prices rising and shipments delayed, American shoppers aren’t sticking around to subsidize the Chinese Communist Party’s trade games. Instead, they’re going back to where they belong: U.S. department stores.
Consumer Edge data shows that in the final three weeks of April, shoppers who abandoned Temu and Shein increased their spending at Nordstrom Rack by a whopping 21% compared to last year—far above the store’s average 12% growth. These former fast-fashion customers also ramped up spending at Bloomingdale’s (up 52%), Old Navy (12%), and Kohl’s (6%).
The trend marks a major win for domestic retail, particularly department stores that offer a wide variety of products—just like the Chinese sites—but with the added bonus of quality control, reliable shipping, and American jobs behind the scenes.
“There’s a huge selection, a lot of different brands, and different types of products in one place,” said Consumer Edge VP Michael Gunther. “That’s attractive to former Temu and Shein shoppers.”
Even secondhand and subscription fashion services are benefiting. Spending at Nuuly, a clothing rental platform owned by Anthropologie’s parent company, surged 59%, while secondhand chain Savers saw a 45% jump. The message is clear: Americans still want value, but they’re finding it in smarter, more sustainable places—not in cheap, CCP-backed websites.
Still, not all the traffic is domestic. Some shoppers have turned to DHgate.com, another Chinese e-commerce site, which connects customers with wholesalers. That platform saw a 42% spike, thanks to aggressive marketing on TikTok—yet another sign of China’s attempt to maintain its grip on U.S. consumers.
However, that workaround may not last. President Trump’s tariffs are already disrupting supply chains, and his America First trade team is keeping a close eye on these evasive tactics.
The final outcome depends on whether the Biden White House keeps the pressure on—or caves to globalist lobbyists. Trump’s 30% tariff—temporarily reduced from 145%—is in effect for just 90 days. But conservatives argue it should be made permanent to level the playing field for good.
Bottom line: President Trump’s tariff hammer is working. Chinese retailers are struggling, American businesses are rebounding, and shoppers are proving that patriotism still matters in the marketplace. For years, Americans were lured by dirt-cheap prices and flashy TikTok ads from Temu and Shein. Now, thanks to strong leadership and smart policy, they’re waking up—and choosing American-made value instead.
