Diplomat fashion remark adds fuel to trade war
A Chinese diplomat has claimed that a dress worn by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was made in China. Zhang Zhishen, who serves as the Chinese Consul General in Denpasar, Indonesia, made the statement in a post on X, stirring fresh controversy amid the ongoing trade standoff between the US and China.
The post showed Leavitt in a red dress with black lace detailing, which Zhishen said resembled one sold on a Chinese website.
Trade war intensifies between US and China
The comment comes at a sensitive time, as US President Donald Trump recently paused several major tariff hikes for 90 days—excluding those imposed on Chinese imports. The escalating trade conflict has resulted in significant tariffs from both sides—145% from the US and 125% from China—effectively nearing a trade embargo.
“Buying China is life,” says Chinese diplomat
Zhishen posted side-by-side images of Leavitt’s dress and a similar-looking outfit listed on a Chinese e-commerce site. He also included a screenshot of a user claiming that the lace on the collar of the dress was made in Mabu Town and dyed in a local factory.
“Accusing China is business. Buying China is life,” Zhishen wrote. “The beautiful lace on the dress was recognized by an employee of a Chinese company as its product.”
Social media reacts with skepticism
Many users on X questioned the credibility of Zhishen’s claim, with some suggesting the dress might be a counterfeit copy of an original design.
“A dress from a Malaysian designer that is being pirated by the Chinese you mean?” one user commented.
Another wrote, “Everything China makes is stolen from other people. Her dress is an original.”
The post has sparked debate not only over the dress’s origin but also over the symbolism and politics behind everyday fashion choices during an intense global trade dispute.