The Take What Trump's tariffs mean for Shein and Temu shoppers
Aug 6, 2025
Aja Barber, author of 'Consumed', dives deep into the implications of new tariffs on low-cost fashion from brands like Shein and Temu. She discusses how the end of the de minimis exemption will impact consumer prices and compel shoppers to reconsider their spending habits. Aja highlights the hidden costs of fast fashion, including labor exploitation and environmental harm. She also shares her personal journey toward sustainable fashion, advocating for mindful consumption and the embrace of ethical brands and secondhand options.
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Tax Loophole Encourages Overconsumption
- Companies like Shein and Temu burden the US Postal Service with many deliveries while paying no taxes.
- This encourages consumers to be frivolous and overconsume because prices feel negligible.
Global Impact of Tariff Policy Change
- Suspension of the de minimis exemption for China and Hong Kong has affected Shein and Temu shipments already.
- Many sellers on platforms like Etsy and eBay also rely on this exemption globally.
Aja's Oshkosh Overalls Story
- Aja Barber shared her personal story wanting expensive Oshkosh overalls as a youth valuing quality and brand.
- Those overalls were once made in union-run US factories but are now made in China, shifting transparency and labor conditions.
