AI-generated video mocks American workers as trade dispute intensifies

09 April 2025 , 20:05

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AI-generated video mocks American workers as trade dispute intensifies

A Chinese TikToker has released an AI-generated video mocking Americans amidst an escalating trade dispute following Donald Trump’s imposition of substantial tariffs on Beijing.

The video shows obese Americans working in ’sweatshop’-style factory conditions, with Chinese music playing in the background. 

The figures in the clip appear depressed and overworked.

The video seems to be a direct swipe at Donald Trump, as it includes the president’s campaign slogan at the end.

Mr Trump has made a big play of returning manufacturing jobs to the US.

Much of that kind of work has been moved to China and other countries where labour is cheaper with the advent of mass globalisation over the past few decades.

Mr Trump’s tariffs are in part a bid to return some of these jobs to the US, by strengthening American businesses at the expense of foreign companies.

It comes as a new 104% rate on some Chinese imports took effect this morning. Last week Beijing announced 34% retaliatory tariffs.

In London, the FTSE 100 fell 2.34% shortly after opening, wiping out most of the gains made on Tuesday, following another drop in some Asian stock markets overnight.

Mr Trump declared "I know what the hell I’m doing!" on Tuesday night, making the comments during a defiant speech at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner in Washington.

He proclaimed: "These countries are calling me up, kissing my ass...they are dying to make a deal... They are, they are dying to make a deal. Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything."

"I know what the hell I’m doing. I know what I’m doing, and you know what I’m doing too," he said.

"I’m the only one that would have done the tariffs, because everybody was afraid. They were afraid of being criticised."

The president has since said he "believes that China wants to make a deal with the US," said Karoline Leavitt, the US president’s spokeswoman.

Thomas Brown

Head of Investigations