The End of Fast Fashion?
The Daily
05/15/25
•24m
About
Comments
Featured In
For years, American consumers have been able to spend next to nothing on the latest fashion trends, thanks in large part to Chinese clothing companies like Shein and Temu. These businesses have long used a loophole to send millions of packages a day into the U.S. from China tax-free.
Now, President Trump is closing that loophole, even as he de-escalates his larger trade war with China, and prices are going up.
Meaghan Tobin, who covers business and technology in Asia, discusses whether this might be the end for fast fashion.
Guest: Meaghan Tobin, a correspondent for The New York Times, covering business and technology in Asia.
Background reading
- Meaghan Tobin and Agnes Chang write about President Trump’s latest changes to taxes on small packages from China.
- Meaghan Tobin explains how a U.S. tax loophole supercharged China’s exports.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Qilai Shen for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Previous Episode
Qatar Force One
May 14, 2025
•23m
President Trump is in the Middle East on the first major international trip of his second term. At the same time, a firestorm has erupted over his plan to accept a $400 million luxury airplane from the Qatari government.
Today, Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent, explains how the free plane may set a problematic precedent — and what Qatar might expect in return.
Guest: Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Republicans on Capitol Hill seem unlikely to challenge President Trump, as he courts gifts and pushes guardrails.
- When pressed on the ethical implications of accepting a luxury jet, Mr. Trump said only someone “stupid” would turn down such an offer.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Next Episode
Birthright Citizenship Reaches The Supreme Court
May 16, 2025
•30m
On Thursday, the Trump administration’s effort to limit birthright citizenship ended up in front of the Supreme Court.
Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, discusses the White House’s unusual legal strategy for defending its plan, and what it might mean for the future of presidential power.
Guest: Adam Liptak, covers the Supreme Court. A graduate of Yale Law School, he practiced law for 14 years before joining The Times in 2002.
Background reading:
- Adam Liptak wrote about the unusual features of the birthright citizenship case.
- Adam also wrote about the Supreme Court justices across the ideological spectrum who have been critical of nationwide injunctions, which apply to everyone affected by a challenged law, regulation or executive action.
- Charlie Savage and Alan Feuer shared four takeaways from the birthright citizenship case.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Photo: Drew Angerer/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted