The ongoing trade war between the US and China has attracted widespread attention. Recently, Chinese merchants have been introducing white enamel mugs printed with the words “Participation in the Equal Tariff War Commemoration,” which have been hot sellers on major online platforms. However, these “commemorative mugs” were suddenly taken down from sale due to suspected official intervention, sparking speculation.
White enamel mugs are old-fashioned cups in China that exude a sense of nostalgia, often bearing inscriptions and designs. In recent years, these white enamel mugs have been popularly used for retro-themed decor. Some businesses have creatively designed patterns and text on these mugs, transforming them into cultural and creative products that have been well-received in the market.
US President Trump recently initiated a global policy of equal tariffs, which led to immediate retaliation and countermeasures by the Chinese Communist Party, triggering the US-China tariff war. Over the past week, on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, Pinduoduo, and Douyin, some home and custom goods stores have started selling products with the words “Participation in the Equal Tariff War Exhibition Commemoration,” including vintage enamel mugs, mugs, and T-shirts.
Many mainland Chinese netizens have been sharing related images on social media platforms. The text on these enamel mugs is generally similar, with some featuring the words “China-US” at the beginning, others including the phrase “April 2025,” and some showcasing a design of the boxing gloves of the US and Chinese flags clashing, symbolizing the initiation of the tariff war between the two countries. The prices of these “commemorative mugs” range from 10 to 26 Chinese yuan, and they have received enthusiastic responses.
However, some netizens reported that after 2 p.m. on April 10, these “commemorative mugs” were collectively removed from the aforementioned platforms, for reasons unknown. Some Chinese netizens speculated that this might be the result of official intervention. Among them, there were complaints about why there is sensitivity surrounding the “commemorative mugs” when the tariff war is already underway. On the other hand, some believe that the authorities may have wanted to de-escalate and control the situation regarding this matter, which was not unexpected.