BUSINESS

Chinese E-Commerce App Sees Spike in U.S. Downloads as Tariff War Heats Up

Published: Apr. 16, 2025 8:09 p.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

The DHgate app was downloaded 35,400 times across the App Store and Google Play on April 12, a 56% increase from its 30-day average. Photo: AI generated

A Chinese cross-border e-commerce app has suddenly shot to the top of the U.S. download charts despite an escalating tariff war.

DHgate was the most downloaded free shopping app running on iPhones on Apple Inc.’s U.S. App Store as of Wednesday afternoon, according to data from industry tracker Sensor Tower.

It was a dramatic ascent from April 12, when the app, a wholesale marketplace focusing on business-to-business sales, was in 30th place. DHgate’s sudden popularity in the U.S. was driven by TikTok videos suggesting that the app could be a way for U.S. consumers to buy luxury goods at lower prices before brand labels are added.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

DHgate, a Chinese e-commerce app, topped the U.S. iPhone shopping app charts, driven by TikTok videos promoting affordable luxury goods options.
Heightened U.S.-China trade tensions include increased tariffs and the end of duty-free exemptions for small parcel imports to the U.S. from China.
Chinese e-commerce platforms, like ByteDance's TikTok Shop, are focusing on non-U.S. markets such as Europe amid new U.S. trade policies, with Alibaba reporting robust European order growth.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

DHgate: DHgate is a Chinese cross-border e-commerce app connecting over 2 million buyers to global suppliers, offering 30 million products across 26 categories. Launched in 2004, it gained sudden popularity in the U.S., driven by TikTok videos promoting affordable luxury goods. It topped the U.S. App Store's free shopping apps despite the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. DHgate observed increased overseas downloads but declined to comment further on its surge in popularity.

Apple Inc.: The article mentions that DHgate, a Chinese cross-border e-commerce app, became the most downloaded free shopping app on Apple Inc.’s U.S. App Store, highlighting its sudden popularity among U.S. iPhone users.

Sensor Tower: Sensor Tower is an industry tracker that provides app performance insights. In the article, Sensor Tower data showed DHgate became the most downloaded free shopping app on the U.S. App Store, highlighting its dramatic rise in popularity.

Google: The article does not mention Google specifically, apart from noting that the DHgate app was downloaded on both the App Store and Google Play on April 12, with a 56% increase from its 30-day average.

CTS International Logistics Co. Ltd.: CTS International Logistics Co. Ltd. (603128.SH) is a Chinese business partner of DHgate. Its shares rose by the daily limit of 10% on Tuesday, coinciding with DHgate’s surge in overseas downloads and popularity in the U.S. market.

SFC Holdings Co. Ltd.: SFC Holdings Co. Ltd. is a Shenzhen-listed cross-border e-commerce company whose shares plunged nearly 20% on April 7 but rose over 30% between April 14 and 15. In response to regulatory concerns over share fluctuations, SFC stated it had no new disclosures and clarified it does not have a partnership with DHgate.

ByteDance Ltd.: ByteDance Ltd.'s e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, is recruiting cross-border merchants for European markets like Spain, Germany, Italy, and France. It also aims to support qualified U.S. sellers operating in these markets.

Alibaba: In March, European orders via Alibaba's foreign trade platform grew 45% year-on-year, with France leading at 125% growth, followed by Italy (60%), Spain (54%), and the U.K. (48%).

AI generated, for reference only