What Does “Made In China” Mean To Chinese People?

If you’ve ever purchased anything at all, chances are you’ve seen the infamous three words “Made in China” on a product or two. Let’s face it. China is a massive country with the world’s largest population. That means that labor is easy to come by, and therefore cheap. So, it’s no wonder that companies around the world have preferred to manufacture their products in the Middle Kingdom for decades.

Given China’s recent ascent to the world stage, however, many Chinese companies are emerging as viable competitors in the global market, thereby redefining how “Made in China” is perceived worldwide. Does this mean that mean that the perception of Chinese products is changing as well? On top of this, all it takes is a quick Google search to come across rumors that Chinese people revere American and European products as a status symbol of sorts. Maybe this was true at a time. But is this still true with Chinese technology and retail giants finally beginning to make their mark beyond their domestic market?

These questions are particularly pertinent in light of the potential trade war that seemed to be brewing between the US and China earlier this year. If people don’t care for Chinese products, then the impact of Trump imposing tariffs on Chinese products will be marginal at best. On the flip side, the US imports into China stretch far and wide, so it’s not hard to imagine that Chinese people would not be happy if Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were to continue exchanging trade-related power moves.

Well, we did what anyone curious to get at the root of this issue would do. We hit the streets of Shanghai to ask the people of China what they think of “Made in China” and a potential trade war with the US. Here’s what they have to say!