Today in Focus

Inside China’s fast-fashion factories as a US trade war looms

13 snips
Aug 8, 2025
Amy Hawkins, The Guardian’s senior China correspondent in Beijing, sheds light on the impact of the US-China trade war on fast fashion factories in Guangzhou. She reveals the harsh living conditions and stress faced by workers caught in the turmoil. The discussion uncovers the resilience of these individuals amidst rising tariffs and consumer pressures. Hawkins also examines how the trade war influences labor exploitation, environmental concerns, and the broader economic challenges China faces as it navigates this uncertain landscape.
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INSIGHT

Guangzhou's Fast Fashion Role

  • Guangzhou is a densely packed manufacturing hub crucial to global fast fashion supply chains.
  • It evolved from fishing villages into a major textile export center producing 15% of China's exports.
INSIGHT

Endurance Under Fast Fashion Demand

  • Workers in Guangzhou's fast fashion factories endure punishing 60-70 hour weeks to meet global demand.
  • Despite labor laws, long hours are normalized as workers respond to constant overseas orders.
ANECDOTE

Daily Piecework at Labor Markets

  • Workers pick contracts daily at labor markets, choosing among garment finishing tasks for daily or weekly work.
  • Tasks like sewing hems or quality control pay per item, incentivizing long hours to maximize income.
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