Jianggan Li: China Rare Earth Power, Vietnam USA Fast Deal & Labubu's Global Rise – E612

"Chinese companies or Chinese operation teams are much better at doing operations on TikTok because they grew with the rise of Douyin in China. They know short videos much better than brands in other countries that are still figuring out how to deal with TikTok. Throughout their short 15-year history, Chinese brands have always operated in a fast-changing, highly competitive environment, making them more nimble. This advantage comes from the environment that trained them, not from being inherently better. Whether that is sustainable in the long term, I don't know." - Jianggan Li, Founder of Momentum Works

Jianggan Li, Founder of Momentum Works, joins Jeremy Au to unpack the evolving trade dynamics between China, Vietnam, and the United States. They compare Vietnam’s swift concessions with China’s calculated rare earth strategy, discuss the blurred lines of transshipment, and explore how Apple, Pop Mart, and Labubu reflect larger trends in global manufacturing and consumer behavior. The conversation also reveals how Chinese brands are outpacing global competitors in TikTok marketing and why luxury culture in China is undergoing a quiet transformation.