Meta Platforms Inc. is witnessing a substantial decrease in advertising spending from major Chinese online retailers like Temu and Shein. This drop follows the U.S. government's recent decision to end tariff exemptions for shipments under $800 from China and Hong Kong, a policy that took effect on May 2. Reuters has reported this strategic shift by Chinese retailers, highlighting how such regulatory changes are reshaping their business strategies.
In the weeks between March 31 and April 13, Temu's average daily advertising spending in the U.S. plummeted by 31% on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snap, X, and YouTube. Similarly, Shein reduced its ad expenditures by 19% on various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. These cuts are reflected in an overall decrease in Chinese advertisers’ contributions to Meta's advertising revenues, which were around 10% in 2024, according to finimize.com.
Facing increased costs from the new tariffs, both Temu and Shein are considering raising product prices and scaling back on advertisements as part of their response strategies. This reduction in ad spending by Chinese retailers could also result in lower costs per impression for other advertisers leveraging digital platforms like Meta, as reported by Digiday. This evolving environment underscores the intricate link between international trade policies and digital advertising strategies, significantly impacting companies like Meta.