RecommendWhat Are Trump Tariffs and How Do They Impact Cross-Border Sellers?

If you're a cross-border seller, especially one who imports goods from China, you've likely experienced the impact of the "Trump tariffs." Trump tariffs have dramatically altered the landscape of international trade, affecting pricing, supply chains, and business strategies overall. Understanding these changes is critical to successfully navigating the market today and protecting your business.

What Are Trump Tariffs and Why Should Cross-Border Sellers Care?

Trump tariffs are other import levies on merchandise — mainly Chinese — levied while Donald Trump was in office. They were created to protect in-country producers and stem trade deficits. To cross-border eCommerce merchants, however, especially those from Asia, the effects have been far-reaching.

What Are Trump Tariffs

Trump tariffs refer to the levies placed on foreign products imported into the country, mostly Chinese products, starting in 2018 under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

• Coverage:

Products worth hundreds of billions of dollars are covered by the tariffs, such as electronics, clothing, toys, and industrial components.

• Level:

Some of the products are charged up to a 25% tariff, which results in costs rising through the roof for companies that produce based on foreign manufacturing.

How Trump's Tariff Policies Have Evolved

Trump's trade policy on tariffs has been utterly transformed from his first to second term. A comparison:

Why Did Trump Impose Tariffs? – Making Sense of the Trade Policy

To understand Trump tariffs, it is useful to look at both what the administration said publicly — and what was likely occurring behind the scenes.

Surface-Level Reasons

At the surface level, the Trump administration offered a few main reasons for starting the tariffs:

• Defense of U.S. industries:

Tariffs were seen as a protection for American workers and factories against cheaper imports that lowered domestic prices.

• Stopping the trade deficit:

Trump believed that applying tariffs on items from countries like China would get Americans to eat locally, closing the gap between imports and exports.

• Fending off unfair trade practices:

The administration blamed China for intellectual property theft and coercing U.S. companies into sharing technology with them — tariffs were imposed as leverage to pressure reform.

What Was Actually Going On?

Although those were the official talking points, there were additional strategic goals at work:

• National security motivations:

Some tariffs focused on technology-related products or rare earth minerals to reduce U.S. dependence on China and other countries for sensitive inputs.

• Geopolitical bargaining leverage:

Tariffs weren't just about trade — they were also used as a tool to pressure China into agreeing to bigger terms in talks in progress.

• Domestic political appeal:

The "America First" slogan was popular with much of the electorate, especially in U.S. states with high manufacturing bases. Tariffs made Trump appear to be a champion fighting for American jobs.

Thus, while the Trump tariffs were framed as economic policy, they also had an important role to play for global strategy and national politics. For cross-border vendors, understanding this background makes clear why the policies are complex — and why they might stay or shift according to political aims.

How Do Trump Tariffs Impact Cross-Border Sellers?

Trump tariffs have brought some severe headaches for cross-border eCommerce businesses, especially those selling products that come in from China. These headaches are not limited to large retailers — even small TikTok Shop sellers feel them.

Here's why:

Higher Costs

• Tariffs raise the price of imported merchandise. A product that initially was $10 with a 25% tariff is now $12.50 before it even shows up at your store.
• Traders must either raise prices (which can scare off customers) or accept lower profits — not ideal choices.

Supply Chain Disruptions

• New or changing tariff rules can cause customs delays, redirecting shipments, or unexpected documentation requirements.
• Some Chinese suppliers have even stopped exporting tariffed products, making it harder for vendors to replenish best-sellers in a timely fashion.

Market Uncertainty

• Trump and subsequent administrations' trade policies have changed frequently, and it is hard to prepare for sellers.
• Sellers will not feel safe rolling out new products or penetrating new markets if they don't know whether a new tariff will hit next month.

According to recent AP News reports, TikTok Shop's U.S. sales from overseas suppliers — the majority of whom are based in China — dropped by 20–25% month-to-month in early May 2025. The drop resulted from:

• Higher shipping and sourcing costs due to Trump China tariffs
• More customs checks and paperwork
• Slower delivery times, which lowered customer satisfaction

Are Trump Tariffs Still Active in 2025?

Yes, many Trump tariffs remain in effect in 2025. While some short-term cuts have been made, such as lowering tariffs from 145% to 30% on Chinese products for a period of 90 days, the overall tariff landscape remains complex and dynamic.

The Biden administration has maintained some of the tariffs that were implemented during Trump's first term, and recent events demonstrate tariffs continue to be a significant factor in American trade policy.

How Can Cross-Border Sellers Protect Their Business from Tariff Risks?

To mitigate the impact of tariffs, cross-border sellers can do the following:

1. Diversify Suppliers: Source products from multiple countries so as not to over-depend on one market.
2. Stay Current: Stay current on trade policy and changes in tariffs in order to adjust in a timely manner.
3. Streamline Supply Chains: Partner with logistics carriers to determine cost-effective shipping modes and routes.
4. Maximize Use of Technology: Employ technology like ZiBird to monitor and facilitate the complexities of cross-border commerce.

How ZiBird Helps Cross-Border Sellers Overcome Tariff Problems

Lily manages several TikTok Shops from Singapore. In early 2025, one of her stores was temporarily suspended after a listing failed to comply with updated platform rules linked to Trump’s China tariffs. While resolving the issue, she used ZiBird to continue operating her other shops seamlessly—without affecting her overall sales performance.

For cross-border sellers, especially those dealing with tighter margins and increased complexity from tariffs, the ability to manage multiple stores safely and efficiently is a major advantage. ZiBird offers a solid foundation for this strategy, making multi-store operation more secure, collaborative, and scalable.

1. Managing Multiple Shops

Operating several TikTok Shops helps sellers increase product visibility, tap into different customer groups, and reduce overstock by distributing inventory more flexibly. This multi-shop model also spreads risk when platform rules or tariff policies change.

ZiBird simplifies the process by allowing:

• Smooth switching between store environments on the same device.
• Independent login experiences for different team members, even when logging into the same store.
• Secure storage of each user’s files on their own device, avoiding cross-account data mix-ups.

This flexibility makes it easier to manage promotions, shift inventory, and adapt store-level strategies—key factors in keeping costs down and boosting sales under tariff pressure.

2. Avoiding Account Bans And Suspensions

Running multiple stores comes with the risk of platform flagging due to account overlaps or suspicious login behavior. ZiBird helps reduce these risks by keeping account sessions fully separated and consistent.

Additionally, sellers can:

• Assign sub-accounts with role-based access to specific stores.
• Control permission levels per sub-user.
• Hide sensitive information like account passwords from sub-accounts.

These features ensure your operations stay clean and compliant, even when working with remote staff or third-party support. Sellers stay in control while scaling safely.

3. Account Security And Data Protection

With several team members handling different stores, keeping access secure and organized is crucial. ZiBird supports remote collaboration while maintaining strong protection of sensitive data.

Sellers benefit from:

• Fine-grained access control for each team member.
• End-to-end encryption options for protecting account credentials and browser data.
• Hassle-free, secure remote access for distributed teams without sacrificing data privacy.

This level of control not only protects your business from internal risks, but also builds a stable framework for long-term cross-border operations—even in uncertain policy environments.

ZiBird doesn’t eliminate tariff challenges, but it equips cross-border sellers with the tools to respond smarter. With better store control, smoother team collaboration, and reliable account protection, sellers can lower operating risks, reduce inventory pressure, and increase total sales—turning policy uncertainty into manageable growth.

How To Leverage ZiBird For Tariff-Related Business Adjustments

With Trump tariffs continuing to affect global trade in 2025, many border merchants are looking for smarter aids to stay competitive. ZiBird is a reliable partner who helps merchants with changing trade regulations at a pace as quick-ever, especially on China tariffs. If you export to the U.S. through platforms like TikTok Shop or run multiple stores, ZiBird can help with how you transition your business model to reduce risks and save costs.

Let us break it down by your main concerns:

1. What Is The Total Tariff On China?

Up to the month of May 2025, the U.S. still imposes strong tariffs on Chinese imports. Though there was a 90-day respite, the majority of products still maintain a tariff of 30%, especially in the textile, electronics, and home goods sectors. During Trump's second term, wider tariffs have been imposed on virtually all Chinese products, and increased rates on those deemed strategically significant or high-risk. This requires cross-border sellers importing from China to carefully manage total landing costs in order to remain profitable.

2. Are Trump Tariffs Still Impacting Chinese Products In 2025?

Yes, they are. Even after the temporary dip from 145% to 30%, the new tariffs continue to make a big impact.

In early May 2025, TikTok's U.S. eCommerce business saw a 20–25% drop in sales among Chinese sellers due to tariff pressure and logistics bottlenecks. According to Business Insider, ongoing tariff uncertainty has led to delivery delays, pricing difficulties, and declining customer interest in higher-priced goods.

These impacts are not limited to China-based sellers. Many sellers based outside of China—such as in Southeast Asia or Europe—who resell Chinese-sourced products into the U.S. are also feeling the pressure. Their margins have tightened due to higher import costs, while listing visibility may drop if pricing becomes less competitive. This has pushed many cross-border sellers to adjust sourcing strategies, diversify sales channels, or increase operational efficiency to remain viable.

The Trump China tariffs continue to reshape how products from China enter the U.S. market, affecting not just where sellers are located, but what they sell and how they operate.

3. How Can Cross-Border Sellers Lower Trump Tariff Expenses?

While tools like ZiBird don’t directly reduce tariff rates or calculate customs duties, they play a critical support role in helping sellers adapt quickly and manage smarter across multiple stores — which can ultimately help reduce unnecessary costs.

Here’s how cross-border sellers can approach tariff-related expenses more effectively, with help from ZiBird:

• Safe Multi-Store Management:
  ZiBird helps sellers manage multiple TikTok Shops or eCommerce stores across different devices and team members—while minimizing the risk of account linkage or platform detection. Whether you're running several stores yourself or working with a distributed team, ZiBird keeps login environments separated and consistent. This allows you to explore different markets, pricing strategies, or product offerings across multiple shops with lower operational risk. While no tool can prevent all types of suspensions, ZiBird creates a more stable and secure structure for cross-border sellers navigating strict platform policies.
• Faster Adjustments Across Stores:
  If tariffs impact a product’s cost, sellers can easily switch listings, update product focus, or remove affected goods across all their stores more quickly — saving time and minimizing loss.
• Try Different Markets:
  Sellers can use ZiBird to operate stores in different countries or regions. By shifting focus to regions less affected by U.S.-China tariffs, they may protect their profits.
• Account and Data Safety:
  Tariff changes often come with new platform rules. ZiBird’s safe browsing and anti-ban protection help sellers stay compliant across multiple stores — which avoids costly account suspensions or penalties.

Conclusion

Trump tariffs continue to affect border sellers in 2025. From added costs to tighter trade conditions, staying flexible and minimizing operational risks has become essential for cross-border businesses.

While no tool can fully eliminate the risk of account bans or policy-related challenges, ZiBird helps sellers manage multiple stores more securely by isolating IPs, devices, and login environments. This reduces the chance of unintended account linkage and supports more stable operations across markets, especially when running multiple shops or working with remote teams.