Shein Says US Tariff Hit Won't Stop Fast-fashion Flood

Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will not eject fast-fashion juggernaut Shein from the US market, said its executive chairman Donald Tang.

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The head of the online platform, which has come in for scrutiny over its environmental footprint and allegations of human rights violations, also insisted that the company does not use forced labor

'Customers not affected'

"We're not focusing on customs policy," Tang said about the new US import levies during a visit to France.

"We will find a way to deliver the goods," he added, saying that Shein's "business model" had seen the company through other global trade upsets like the coronavirus pandemic.

This time, however, China is directly in Washington's crosshairs, with 20-percent additional tariffs levied on products imported from the country.

The Trump administration has also cast doubt on whether imported packages worth less than $800 will continue to enjoy duty-free status.

Shein - a firm founded in China but now headquartered in Singapore - and Temu have for years surfed on that practice to send tens of billions of dollars worth of product into the US from their network of Chinese factories.

Tang said that whatever happens, "we will do our best to make sure the customers' interest and customers' experience is not affected" -- without detailing any specifics.

'No forced labor'