E-cigarettes · The Significance And Future Of Made in China: Self-Transformation in The Era Of 100% Tariffs

In October 2025, the US government once again launched a trade storm - imposing a 100% tariff on all imported goods from China. For the Chinese e-cigarette industry, which is almost entirely dependent on exports, this was a wake-up call, more like a mirror reflecting the predicament and solutions of the entire industry. Many enterprises immediately fell into anxiety: if the export cost doubled, profits would be eroded, and the supply chain would be forced to move out, could the e-cigarette industry continue to maintain the glory of "Made in China"? What was the significance of this?
Looking back over the past decade, the Chinese e-cigarette industry has taken a path that can be called legendary. Starting from Shenzhen, it gradually covered the global market. Chinese enterprises not only mastered core technologies but also established a complete supply chain and industrial system. 90% of the global e-cigarette supply chain originated from China, with the US market contributing approximately 35% to 40%. From the vaporization system, nicotine oil formula, mold design to production efficiency and cost control, Chinese manufacturers have built a complete e-cigarette "intelligent manufacturing model", astonishing the world with the speed and precision of "Made in China". The rise of e-cigarettes is not only an epitome of "Made in China" but also a concentrated manifestation of "Chinese creativity" in the field of consumer electronics.
However, the arrival of a 100% tariff forced the entire industry ecosystem into a new trajectory of thinking. The intention of the US was not only to increase the price of Chinese goods, but also to force the supply chain to move out of China through policy pressure. This measure had a far greater impact on the e-cigarette industry than just cost issues: the export system that relied on Chinese factories and technology needed to be restructured, profit margins were compressed, trade trust was reduced, and even some small enterprises were forced to exit the market. In the short term, shipment volume plummeted, cash flow was tight, market expectations were unclear, and the entire industry was like being plunged into ice water, urgently needing to find a new way of survival.

In response to this situation, enterprises' first reaction was "migration of production". Southeast Asia, Mexico, and other places became new choices. Thus, a new global supply chain model began to emerge: China designs + Southeast Asia assembles (or other regions) + American brand joint venture. Core components such as vaporization cores, batteries, and molds are still dominated by China, while the assembly环节 is transferred to tax-friendly countries, and American local joint ventures enter the market as brands and sales entities. This model seemingly fades the "Made in China" label, but in essence, China still holds the core control rights behind innovation, standards, technology, and brand.
This forces one to re-examine the meaning of "Made in China". In the traditional concept, "Made in China" means "products are manufactured in China", but in today's globalization and policy pressure intertwined world, "Made in China" should more be understood as innovation originating from China and the core control rights being in China. The value of the e-cigarette industry is not just a simple production line and assembly factory, but a collection of technological innovation, industrial design, supply chain integration, and brand management. Even if the assembly is moved out, the design, research and development, core standards are still in China, and the "Chinese soul" of e-cigarettes has not been lost.
This transformation also brings new strategic thinking： First, technology remains the core competitiveness. Enterprises must master vaporization technology, module design, battery management, and flavor system, etc., core patents; Second, compliance becomes a moat. The PMTA certification of the US and the TPD of the EU are the tickets to enter the market, only compliant enterprises can remain long-term; Third, internationalization of brands is an inevitable choice. Through joint ventures, licensing, overseas brand registration, Chinese enterprises can enter the market with a local identity while maintaining the lead in design and innovation; Fourth, alliance and co-construction provide protection for the industry, unify standards, reduce market friction, and improve bargaining power, forming a collective moat.
From history and trends, the e-cigarette industry is undergoing a profound evolution： from "world factory" to "world standard setter". China remains the source of innovation for the e-cigarette industry. In the future, "Made in China" will no longer be limited by geographical location, but will be centered around technology, design, standards, and brand control. It tells us: The value of manufacturing does not lie in the country where it is located, but in the ability to master creativity and have control over the industrial chain.
Although the pressure of 100% tariffs has caused the industry to shake, it has also provided an opportunity for reconfiguration. Those enterprises that can quickly set up overseas production, maintain technological control, establish local brands and compliance systems will occupy an advantage in the new global supply chain. For the entire Chinese e-cigarette industry, this is a reaffirmation of value: The true "Made in China" is Created in China, Controlled by China. No matter how the assembly location changes, as long as the core innovation and industrial dominance are still in the hands of China, the "Chinese soul" of the e-cigarette industry will still exist and will continue to exert influence in the global market.
Looking back on the ten years of development, the e-cigarette industry started from zero and has formed a global supply chain, technology system and brand pattern. Now it is facing extreme pressure from policies. The 100% tariff incident has made us realize that the significance of Made in China cannot only be limited to factories and prices, but also lies in technology, innovation, compliance and brand dominance. It is this kind of power that has enabled the "Made in China" of e-cigarettes to find new paths in adversity and has also given the industry hope and confidence for the future.
If e-cigarettes lose the meaning of "Made in China", it will no longer be the familiar e-cigarette industry. But -
"Made in China" doesn't necessarily mean "produced in Chinese factories". It can also refer to manufacturing in the global market.