• The 80/20 of Ecommerce
  • Posts
  • 80/20 of Ecom - Vietnam vs China sourcing, Q4 tariff update & TikTok+AI hack - 7/23/25

80/20 of Ecom - Vietnam vs China sourcing, Q4 tariff update & TikTok+AI hack - 7/23/25

Vietnam isn’t always cheaper, China tariffs expected to dip, and TikTok + AI is printing sales

Author

Gary Huang
July 23, 2025

Hey there,

We’re less than 60 days from Q4, and now’s the time to make real decisions in your business so you can crush it in Q4 (even in this crazy year).

A lot of sellers are thinking of Vietnam to dodge China tariffs, but the math doesn’t always work out. I break it down the numbers for sellers and share key deadlines you need to know (spoiler: you're almost out of time).  

And also a close partner of mine who can help if you’re sourcing home textile products.  

Also—get caught up fast on the U.S.–China tariff updates - why it matters now, and why it won’t last.

Then don’t miss the latest episode of the 7 FIG PODCAST where you’ll learn a wild TikTok + AI system that can 10x Amazon sale without spending a dollar more of extra ad spend.

And finally, I’d appreciate if you can take 2 mins to complete Q4 survey so I can learn about your #1 goal and biggest challenge in your business right now so I can help.  

Now let's get into the 80/20 of E commerce:

  • Vietnam vs China: What Home Textile Sellers Get Wrong

  • China Trade Thaw = Short Window to Lock in Costs

  • The AI Content Loop That Drives Free Traffic to Amazon

  • Q4 Is Coming Fast—What’s Holding You Back?

The Real Story on Vietnam vs China Sourcing for Home Textiles

After Prime Day's margin squeeze, many Amazon sellers are scrambling to find sourcing alternatives to China's increasing tariffs. But here's what most don't realize about Vietnam sourcing.

Vietnam isn't necessarily cheaper on landed costs

The current Vietnam duty is 20%.  

The China duty is expected to be in the range of 34-40% according to a report published by Barron's on Jul 21, 2025.

But Vietnam's FOB costs run 15% higher than China, plus you get lower productivity. When you factor in similar shipping costs, the lower Vietnam tariffs may not offset the higher production costs. 

The real benefit? Supply chain diversification so you're not betting everything on one country's tariff situation and the uncertainties along with it.

If you're planning Q4 orders, you're almost out of time. 

For products to arrive by early November in the US, Vietnam orders need to be placed by August 3rd 2025 if materials are available, or July 25, 2025 if materials need to come from China. 

China orders can wait until August 20th.

For complex products requiring plush fabrics, China still makes more sense despite tariffs.

Given these opportunities and constraints to source from Vietnam, I’d like to introduce my close partner Michael Crotty from Golden Pacific Fashion & Design. 

Mike and I have known each other for over a decade when we were both based in Shanghai stemming from the time we served together at the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai: Supply Chain Committee.  

With 40+ years experience and clients like Walmart, PetsMart, and Lowes, Mike is an expert in Supply Chain and he operates facilities in both China and Vietnam specifically for this decision.

His Vietnam facilities have been operational over 10 years so this isn't a rushed tariff response.

If you're doing $500k to $1M+ annually in home textiles and need to make sourcing decisions fast, fill out our qualification form below and Mike will reach out directly with specific guidance for your situation.

This is a paid partnership with a sourcing partner I personally trust and recommend. As always, do your own due diligence before making any business decisions.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are cooling—for now. Eurasia Group’s David Meale sees signs of continued de-escalation, with a possible Trump–Xi summit in October and recent concessions from both sides. China resumed critical mineral exports; the U.S. eased chip restrictions. 

As a result, overall China tariffs could drop from ~40% to below 30% by year-end if fentanyl-linked duties are lifted.  

But this détente is temporary. Expect new sector-specific tariffs or export curbs after the summit.

Key Highlights:

  • Aug. 12 tariff spike now unlikely

  • China & U.S. easing select restrictions

  • Avg. China tariffs may drop to 30-40%

  • Long-term rivalry remains; future tariffs likely

Takeaway for Amazon Sellers:

Lower tariffs could boost Q4 margins—recalculate costs, time inventory wisely, and renegotiate with suppliers while the window lasts. But stay cautious: this calm is temporary, and new tariffs may return after a fall summit.

Chinese 8-figure seller Can Chan just revealed how he’s turning TikTok virality and off-the-shelf AI into real Amazon dollars. In this fast-paced session he shows why skyrocketing ad costs make social video essential, then demos his content “phone-farm” that cranks out 100 clips a day for free traffic. 

You’ll see Lark + DeepSeek auto-generate Amazon listings in seconds and learn the playbook behind $50 nose strips, faceless viral videos, and other case studies that 10× sales without extra PPC.

If you’re serious about cutting spend, harnessing AI, and funneling social eyeballs straight to your listings, don’t miss this. 

Watch the full session now → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmTyM4UffII

Q4 is less than 60 days away, and the pressure’s on. Amazon sellers everywhere are feeling the heat—but instead of guessing what you need, I want to hear it straight from you. 

Take this quick 2-minute survey to share your biggest roadblocks, and you’ll get his Q4 2025 Prep Checklist as a thank-you.

Plus: Survey participants will get exclusive access to the compiled insights—see how your challenges stack up against other sellers.

📌 In Case You Missed It

📩 Want to be Featured in the 80/20 of Ecom Newsletter?

I work with brands and sellers to help them grow, scale, and succeed. Here’s how we can work together:

💼 Sponsorships – Promote your service to 13,000+ engaged e-commerce sellers.
🎯 Consulting – Get tailored strategies for Amazon Japan, sourcing, or profitability.
🤝 Partnerships – Let’s collaborate on webinars, content, or events
📩 Contact me: gary [at] 8020sourcing.com

Gary

PS: What’s your biggest challenge in your business right now?  Let your voice be heard in my Q4 Amazon Seller Survey here