Donald Trump's second term is stirring up conversations about the future of global trade. While beauty may not face the direct disruptions threatening core industries like tech or automotive, the industry’s deep reliance on international supply chains and cross-border commerce means any geopolitical shift could have a ripple effect.In this analysis, BeautyMatter examines how a Trump presidency could reshape the US-China beauty market, the industry’s broader global impact, and how brands might navigate potential trade headwinds while seizing new opportunities.A Market Under PressureTrade tariffs, one of Trump’s hallmark policies, are already looming large over the global beauty sector. Trump’s campaign has revived talk of tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports—potentially reigniting the US-China trade war that defined his first term. Just recently, he reiterated plans to impose a blanket 10% tariff on all Chinese goods on social media, reigniting fears of trade disruption.For Chinese beauty brands, this could severely undercut their price advantage—a key factor driving their US expansion in recent years.Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have played a pivotal role in elevating Chinese beauty (C-beauty) with buzzwords like “affordable luxury” and “aesthetic packaging.” Brands such as Flower Knows Beauty, known for elaborate, fantasy-inspired designs at a fraction of Western competitors’ prices, have carved out a unique niche.