After Tariff Backlash: What Today’s Fashion Brands Expect from Their Production Partners

Informational • 9m read

After Tariff Backlash: What Today’s Fashion Brands Expect from Their Production Partners

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Mai Nguyen • Jun 17, 2025

In a complex manufacturing industry, partnerships often take a back seat, overlooked by both brands and producers. For fashion brands in the EU and U.S., China is seen as a nation with one of the most professional manufacturing systems, one that not everyone can easily replicate. That’s why the trade war between these parties seems never-ending. This imbalance has fueled an ongoing trade war, one that continues to simmer rather than subside.

At the heart of the tension are escalating demands from Western brands: lower prices, faster turnaround times, and stricter compliance standards. On top of that, U.S. tariffs have added significant financial strain. Many Chinese manufacturers, feeling exploited, praised for their craftsmanship yet rarely acknowledged, have been left with unpaid inventory and broken partnerships as brands shift to cheaper suppliers without warning.

Then, many Chinese manufacturers have felt exploited: their innovations and craftsmanship used without recognition, then some brands ghosted them for cheaper alternatives, leaving millions in unpaid inventory or delayed payments. To cope with those high unjustified pressures, the Chinese factories and suppliers responded in a tensive way that is revealing the manufacturing realities.

In response, the reaction from Chinese factories has been both bold and revealing. To push back against the tariff pressure, some Chinese content creators, many directly tied to manufacturers, began posting videos showing the behind-the-scenes of luxury production. They attached names like Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton to footage of actual manufacturing processes and the sourcing of premium materials like crocodile leather for Birkin bags. These videos claimed that up to 80 percent of luxury handbags labeled "Made in France" were, in fact, "Made in China."

A Chinese content creator discusses the Birkin bag’s production process.

That’s how the Chinese manufacturing market responded to the U.S. tariffs principal under Trump. Posting these facts shocked many consumers and sent ripples through the luxury market. Some viewers expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for revealing the truth,” while others criticized the move, calling it childish and vindictive. They argued that instead of exposing sensitive information and undercutting retail prices, China should have found more strategic ways to advocate for its manufacturing industry.

What This Means for the Fashion Industry

The power dynamic in fashion manufacturing is shifting. Manufacturers, especially in China, are no longer staying silent—they’re leveraging social media and public narratives to push back against years of being overshadowed. Transparency is no longer just a trend; it’s becoming a powerful tool. As factories begin to speak up, brand stories are being questioned, and consumers are demanding to know exactly where and how their products are made. This growing visibility puts pressure on big brands to rethink their relationships with suppliers, not only in terms of compliance but in building genuine, long-term partnerships. 

However, this shift has also triggered a trust issue. Some fashion brands, wary of potential exposure and lacking confidence in China’s intellectual property protections, have started seeking alternative manufacturing partners in countries with stronger commitments to confidentiality and credibility.

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As the fashion industry shifts toward greater transparency and accountability, new sourcing regions are stepping into the spotlight. Vietnam, where Inflow operates, is one of the most promising. A manufacturing hub like Inflow has quickly become a standout partner by offering transparent production processes that allow brands to see exactly how their products are made, from raw materials to final delivery. More than just a manufacturer, Inflow builds ethical partnerships grounded in trust and long-term collaboration. Their approach goes beyond execution—manufacturers are invited to co-create and contribute creatively using high-tech tools like trend forecasting tools, AI-driven designing and fitting tools, ensuring design is a shared process rather than a one-sided demand. 

What also sets Vietnam manufacturing hubs apart is its flexible production model. Brands can benefit from low minimum order quantities, on-demand manufacturing, and the agility to adapt quickly to changing market needs. They are proving that modern manufacturing can be open, fair, and highly responsive, making it a valuable ally for today’s forward-thinking fashion brands.

Most noticeably, Vietnam governments are encouraging the manufacturing industry in Vietnam to step further and beyond. There are huge changes inside law and political organizations that affect goods and tax. They tightened tariffs and controlled goods to classify and eliminate low-quality, unknown-origin goods imported from different countries to strengthen transparency and prove that MADE IN VIETNAM can still be the same as or even much better than MADE IN CHINA.

What Fashion Brands Expect for Today Production Partner

The recent wave of public pushback from Chinese factories sent a clear message to the global fashion industry: You can’t build a sustainable business on secrecy, exploitation, or one-sided control.

For years, many brands in the U.S. and EU operated under outdated assumptions about their manufacturing partners—treating them as silent vendors rather than strategic collaborators. But that era is ending. With rising consumer demand for ethical practices and greater transparency, fashion brands are re-evaluating how they work with suppliers.

Here’s what today’s forward-thinking brands expect from their manufacturing partners.

1. True Partnership, Not Just Production

In the past, manufacturers were often treated as behind-the-scenes players, expected to simply follow instructions without offering input. Today, brands are seeking engaged partners who can contribute meaningfully throughout the production process—providing feedback on cost-effective design choices, offering material guidance and sampling support, and being transparent about capacity, lead times, and limitations. 

Plus, Inflow’s perfect at this, we work closely with brands from concept to final product, supporting design refinement, fast prototyping, and open communication every step of the way. We’re not just producing garments; we’re co-creating your vision. Unlike some Chinese manufacturing partners, Vietnamese garment companies are committed to protecting sensitive information, ensuring fair and transparent trade relationships with brands. This approach prevents chaos in the fashion market by keeping core details secure while allowing for collaborative, well-managed production

Inflow's in-house production development team is working with the fashion brand.

 2. Transparent, Traceable Processes

In the past, opaque supply chains made it difficult for brands to trace material origins or understand factory operations. Today, transparency is no longer optional—brands expect clear insight into every touchpoint, from material sourcing and labor practices to production costs and margin breakdowns. That’s where Inflow comes in. We meet this demand by offering direct access to in-house sample rooms and manufacturing facilities in Vietnam by an agile on-demand manufacturing platform. With real-time production updates, ethical compliance reporting, and open pricing discussions, we ensure full visibility and accountability throughout the entire process.

Step-by-step overview of the full process revealed on Inflow’s on-demand manufacturing platform.

3. Agility Without Compromise

On-demand manufacturing is no longer just a trend — it’s a necessity for modern brands. It allows them to easily control which items should be scaled up for mass production. To stay adaptive to ever-changing trends and customer demands, brands need a responsive on-demand manufacturing partner like Inflow. With Inflow, there’s no need to endure long lead times or tie up capital in high inventory levels without knowing when stock will clear. 

Inflow meets this need with low MOQs starting at just 100-200 pieces per style, rapid sampling in 10–14 days, and bulk production turnaround in 30–45 days. Inflow’s AI-powered tools also help streamline development and reduce waste, allowing brands to remain responsive in a fast-paced market. 

4. Values-Aligned, Globally Aware Suppliers

Beyond speed, brands are also prioritizing values-aligned partnerships—seeking suppliers who balance cost, performance, and purpose. While price was once the sole focus, today’s companies want manufacturing partners who operate ethically and sustainably. Inflow delivers this by being based in Vietnam, a politically stable, trade-friendly country that’s not highly affected by the U.S.–China tensions. We comply with international environmental and labor standards and maintain strong trade relationships with Asian nations for manufacturing and sourcing through agreements like the EVFTA and UKVFTA, offering a secure and forward-looking manufacturing solution.

Final Message 

Today's article tells a small story about tariff effects. The exposure of fashion supply chains by Chinese manufacturers is not just an act of retaliation — it’s a wake-up call for the entire industry. Brands must evolve from transactional relationships to transparent, collaborative partnerships with their production partners.

After everything the industry has seen, smart brands are no longer looking for the cheapest factory — they’re looking for transparency, agility, and mutual respect. Today, fashion brands seeking independence from Chinese garment manufacturing are diversifying their supplier base and moving away from treating manufacturers as silent partners hidden behind opaque processes. Instead, the future belongs to those who embrace ethical collaboration, co-creation, and flexible production models that align with both market demands and consumer values.

Inflow stands at the forefront of this change. By combining Vietnam’s rising manufacturing capabilities with technology, transparency, and ethical practices, we offer fashion brands a smarter, more sustainable way forward. For brands seeking a true partner—not just a producer—Inflow is ready to help you scale, adapt, and lead in a new era of global fashion manufacturing.

Book a demo with Inflow this week to discover tailored solutions for your unique needs.

Stay tuned – more exclusive supply chain insights are coming next week!

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