SINGAPORE: Faster than you can say “new tariffs”, American shoppers are flocking to Chinese e-commerce apps in search of the cheapest prices on sneakers, clothes and luxury bags - in an attempt to outmanoeuvre price hikes sparked by US President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff war. 

The spike in downloads comes as US consumers rush to place orders before May 2, when the de minimis exemption expires for low-value imports from China - which could see parcels valued at US$800 or below subject to taxes.