I’ve watched President Donald J. Trump’s trade strategy reshape global dynamics, particularly in China. His aggressive tariffs—now at a staggering 145% on Chinese imports—have hit the export-driven Chinese economy like a sledgehammer, exposing its vulnerabilities and igniting widespread unrest.
While the mainstream media downplays the chaos, reports from the ground and posts on X paint a grim picture: factories are shuttering, workers are jobless, and riots are erupting as Chinese citizens turn against the Communist Party’s rigid grip. Here’s a detailed look at the riots, layoffs, and broader problems rocking China in 2025, driven by Trump’s tariffs.
The Tariff Trigger: Crippling China’s Export Machine
China’s economy, heavily reliant on exports to the U.S., has been reeling since Trump escalated tariffs to 145% in April 2025, with some goods facing up to 245%. These levies, designed to level the playing field and bring manufacturing back to America, have slashed demand for Chinese goods. According to a New York Times report, small factories in Guangzhou—cornerstones of China’s export prowess—are facing canceled orders from American customers, leaving them with unsold inventory and mounting losses. A CNBC survey notes that 89% of businesses report order cancellations, with 75% expecting reduced consumer spending due to higher prices. This economic chokehold has pushed China’s GDP growth forecast down from 4.5% to 4%, per Goldman Sachs, trapping the nation in a deflationary spiral.
Export-oriented businesses, from clothing manufacturers to machinery producers, are collapsing under the weight of these tariffs. In Yiwu, a 1,000-acre wholesale market supplying Christmas decorations and other goods, vendors like Li Xinyao report plummeting revenue, even without direct U.S. clients, as global buyers cut orders amid trade war fears. Workers in Guangzhou’s shoe factories lament daily wages dropping from 300-400 yuan ($40-54) to just 100 yuan, barely enough to survive. The BBC reports stock piling up in warehouses as exporters grapple with tariffs totaling up to 145%, forcing many to pivot to domestic markets or face closure.
Layoffs and Factory Closures: A Human Toll
The human cost is staggering. Millions of migrant workers, the backbone of China’s manufacturing hubs, are losing their livelihoods. A CNN report highlights the plight of Yiwu vendors, who fear that non-essential goods like plastic flowers will be the first cut from budgets, leaving workers jobless. In Guangzhou, factory managers are laying off staff to stay afloat, with one hay exporter telling CNBC they slashed 12 employees—25% of their workforce—after orders dried up. A Fed survey confirms a surge in layoff fears, with 47% of businesses planning headcount reductions within nine months, most within two to three months.
These layoffs are hitting hardest in export-driven regions like Zhejiang and Jiangsu, where factories producing steel bike rims, restaurant equipment, and textiles are idling. The New York Times describes managers fretting over survival, with workers hoping to cling to jobs in the coming weeks. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a crisis tearing at the fabric of communities, leaving families without income and fueling desperation.
Riots and Protests: Citizens Turn Against the CCP
BREAKING NEWS! RIOTS IN CHINA: CHINESE CITIZENS TURN AGAINST CCP IN A DEADLY ATTACK …Julian Assange on Telegram
• Xi Jinping banned Boeing for China but still flies in one while his regime collapses under fraud, censorship, and revolt. China’s economy— Ezekeil2_1 (@Ezekiel2_1) May 1, 2025
The economic pain has sparked a wave of unrest, with Chinese citizens increasingly defiant against the Communist Party (CCP). Posts on X report a 41% spike in protests in late 2024, driven by unpaid wages, a housing crisis, and now tariff-induced layoffs. While no widespread riots are directly tied to tariffs alone, the trade war’s economic fallout is clearly fanning the flames. One X user, @nettermike , claims Chinese citizens are “turning against the CCP in a deadly attack,” suggesting the “start of a revolution” as tariffs exacerbate existing grievances. Another post by @HLC_actual notes a 41% increase in protests against Xi Jinping in 2025, linking them to economic woes worsened by tariffs.
On Douyin, China’s TikTok equivalent, videos show citizens openly criticizing the CCP’s hardline stance on tariffs, per @ProjectConstitu on X. These protests, while sensitive to discuss publicly in China, are gaining traction, with workers in Guangzhou’s shoe factories venting frustration over dwindling wages. The BBC reports workers squatting on pavements, smoking, and lamenting economic hardship, with one saying, “We’ve had problems since the COVID pandemic, and now there’s this trade war.” This simmering discontent threatens to boil over, especially as China’s Ministry of Commerce vows to “fight to the end” with 125% retaliatory tariffs, further isolating the economy.
Broader Economic Fallout: A Deflationary Death Spiral
Beyond layoffs and protests, China’s economy is grappling with systemic issues amplified by the trade war. Foreign investment is fleeing, with @profstonge on X warning that tariffs could “wipe out thousands of factories, sparking nationwide riots.” The CCP’s attempts to prop up markets—ordering companies to buy their own shares and banks to sell dollars—signal panic, as @WallStreetMav notes. China’s housing crisis, already a powder keg, is worsening as jobless workers can’t afford mortgages, further fueling protests.
The tariffs have also disrupted global supply chains, with Vietnam and Indonesia caught in the crossfire as they face 10% U.S. tariffs, potentially rising if trade deals falter. This makes China a paradoxical “safe harbor” for some firms, per the New York Times, as tariffs on other Asian nations complicate diversification. Yet, this offers little relief to China’s small factories, which operate on razor-thin margins and lack the capital to pivot. The Yale Budget Lab estimates that tariffs could cost 740,000 U.S. jobs, but China’s losses are likely far higher, given its export dependence.
A Conservative Take: Trump’s Strategy Is Working
Trump’s tariffs are a masterstroke, exposing China’s economic fragility and forcing the CCP to confront its overreliance on exports. While liberals and globalists cry about a potential U.S. recession, the real story is China’s collapse under pressure. Trump’s willingness to pause “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days on most countries—while doubling down on China—shows strategic flexibility, not weakness. As he told reporters, “You have to be flexible,” a pragmatic move that contrasts with the CCP’s intransigence.
The unrest in China validates Trump’s approach: tariffs aren’t just about economics; they’re about leverage. By hitting China where it hurts, Trump is pushing Xi Jinping toward the negotiating table, as he hinted from Air Force One. The CCP’s bravado—claiming it will “fight to the end”—rings hollow as factories close and citizens revolt. This is what winning looks like: prioritizing American workers and manufacturers while forcing adversaries to rethink their playbook.
Conclusion: China’s Crisis, America’s Opportunity
China’s riots, layoffs, and factory closures are a direct result of Trump’s tariffs, which have exposed the cracks in the CCP’s economic model. From Guangzhou’s struggling factories to Yiwu’s anxious vendors, the human and economic toll is undeniable. Protests are surging, with citizens openly challenging the regime on platforms like Douyin, a bold move in a country known for censorship. As a conservative business analyst, I see this as proof that Trump’s America First policies are working—reshaping global trade to benefit the U.S. while holding China accountable. The CCP may talk tough, but its economy is crumbling, and the unrest signals a turning point. America must stay the course, because when China falters, opportunity knocks for the red, white, and blue.
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