Trump’s Trade Wars & Beauty Products: XJ’s Supply Chain Fixes

How Trade Wars Are Reshaping the Beauty Industry

The beauty industry thrives on global collaboration—ingredients from France, packaging from Italy, formulations developed in Korea, manufacturing hubs in China. But over the past few years, trade wars—especially U.S.-China tensions during and after Trump’s administration—have caused major ripples across this interconnected web.

Tariffs on cosmetics, packaging materials, and beauty tools have driven up costs, squeezed margins, and forced brands to rethink where (and how) they manufacture.

In 2025, with tariff threats reappearing and supply chain volatility continuing, beauty brands can't afford to ignore these pressures. Smart sourcing and resilient supply chain planning are no longer optional—they are survival tools.

Key Impacts of Trade Wars on Beauty Products

  • Higher landed costs for Chinese-made beauty goods

  • Longer customs clearance times and stricter import checks

  • Pricing instability that complicates forecasting and launch planning

  • Sustainability complications, as shipping long distances gets more expensive environmentally and financially

Whether you're an indie skincare startup or a global makeup brand, trade disruptions directly affect your bottom line—and your brand reputation if stockouts or delays occur.

XJ BEAUTY’s Supply Chain Solutions: Staying Agile in a Trade War World

At XJ BEAUTY, we've spent years building future-proof, multi-region manufacturing capabilities. Our supply chain fixes allow clients to sidestep many of the biggest trade war risks.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Multi-Country Production Hubs

  • China for cost-competitive R&D and mass production

  • Korea for prestige formulations and skincare innovation

  • Thailand for brush and accessories manufacturing (low-tariff advantage)

  • USA for local filling, assembly, and finishing—qualifying for "Made in USA" claims where needed

Result: Brands can pivot production based on evolving tariff policies and market needs.

2. Semi-Turnkey Models (Bulk + Local Assembly)

By manufacturing bulk cosmetics in Asia and filling/packaging locally (especially in the U.S.), brands can:

  • Avoid full tariffs on finished goods

  • Gain flexibility on labeling and claims

  • Speed up final mile delivery and replenishment cycles

3. Flexible Packaging Sourcing

Global disruptions often hit packaging first. We offer:

  • Local sourcing options (Asia, USA) depending on tariff exposure

  • Eco-friendly packaging alternatives that are both compliant and tariff-safe

  • Smart packaging design to optimize freight costs and customs codes

Future-Proof Your Brand Against Trade Wars

Trade tensions aren't disappearing anytime soon. Even if policies shift, supply chain resilience will continue to define market leaders in the beauty industry.

Brands that diversify sourcing, invest in flexible manufacturing, and think several moves ahead will:

  • Launch faster

  • Maintain healthier margins

  • Build stronger trust with retailers and consumers

XJ BEAUTY