Trump Toilet Brush Becomes Symbol of Chinese Defiance Amid Trade War

In a bizarre twist to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, a Trump-themed toilet brush has become a viral sensation in China. Designed to parody former U.S. President Donald Trump, the yellow-bristled brush features his signature hairstyle and exaggerated facial expressions.

Originally launched during Trump’s first term, the product has seen a dramatic resurgence as Chinese consumers use it to mock the former president amidst renewed trade tensions. Its production hub, Yiwu — a city known for manufacturing plastic goods — has dubbed the rise in sales the “Yiwu counterattack,” symbolizing a grassroots form of economic retaliation.

Retailing between 13.9 to 18.9 yuan ($1.9–$2.6), the brush has become a best-seller, especially on Chinese social media platforms, where it’s being hailed as both humorous and defiant. A restaurant in Wuhan even took protest to another level, charging American customers an extra 104% service fee, referencing U.S. tariffs.

What started as a joke product has now become a cultural statement, allowing Chinese citizens to express dissatisfaction with U.S. trade policies in an unexpectedly cheeky way.