Tariffs, China & BRICS: Why You’re Paying the Price (Explained by an Insider)
See, Marcella, that's your problem. You think our perspectives are created equal, and they're not, because I have more information than you do. I read, I research, I speak to experts, and I have this access because I used to work in the industry. I have context. And furthermore, I also read past the headline. So while I may not know everything, I definitely know more than you. So let's address some of the comments I got yesterday.
1. We'll build our own factories and bring manufacturing here. No we won't. This administration is like the boy who cried wolf. Would you as a business owner be willing to sink millions of dollars into building your own manufacturing plant knowing it'd take years if there was a risk that these tariffs were called off in three months? 2. Why is it okay for other countries to tariff us and us not tariff back?
You saw the word reciprocal and assumed that's what they were charging us? Our reciprocal tariffs calculation doesn't even take into account tariffs. The equation might look complicated because it's in Greek, but it's really simple. It's just the trade deficit divided by total goods imported divided by 2. For example, the U.S. buys more goods than we sell to China, a $295 billion deficit. They import a total of $440 billion. This equals 67% divided by 2 is 34.
China was not previously charging us 34%. We just made up this number, and that's how I know the person who came up with this equation is not some world-renowned economist. They're just a rube. And three, other countries are already trying to negotiate. Sure, that could happen, but it's gonna take a minute, and you better hope in that time period we don't become obsolete, because all of the other BRICS nations are vying for our seat as top dog. If you wanna stay up to date on what's going on with the economy, I'm Vivian, you're HBFF, and your favorite Wall Street girly, and I can break it down for you. Follow me.
Tariffs, China & BRICS: Why You’re Paying the Price (Explained by an Insider)
See, Marcella, that's your problem. You think our perspectives are created equal, and they're not, because I have more information than you do. I read, I research, I speak to experts, and I have this access because I used to work in the industry. I have context. And furthermore, I also read past the headline. So while I may not know everything, I definitely know more than you. So let's address some of the comments I got yesterday.
1. We'll build our own factories and bring manufacturing here. No we won't. This administration is like the boy who cried wolf. Would you as a business owner be willing to sink millions of dollars into building your own manufacturing plant knowing it'd take years if there was a risk that these tariffs were called off in three months? 2. Why is it okay for other countries to tariff us and us not tariff back?
You saw the word reciprocal and assumed that's what they were charging us? Our reciprocal tariffs calculation doesn't even take into account tariffs. The equation might look complicated because it's in Greek, but it's really simple. It's just the trade deficit divided by total goods imported divided by 2. For example, the U.S. buys more goods than we sell to China, a $295 billion deficit. They import a total of $440 billion. This equals 67% divided by 2 is 34.
China was not previously charging us 34%. We just made up this number, and that's how I know the person who came up with this equation is not some world-renowned economist. They're just a rube. And three, other countries are already trying to negotiate. Sure, that could happen, but it's gonna take a minute, and you better hope in that time period we don't become obsolete, because all of the other BRICS nations are vying for our seat as top dog. If you wanna stay up to date on what's going on with the economy, I'm Vivian, you're HBFF, and your favorite Wall Street girly, and I can break it down for you. Follow me.
This video gained popularity because it blends a bold tone, confident delivery, strong factual grounding, and a timely geopolitical topic: the impact of tariffs, production shifts, and global trade on the U.S. economy. Vivian intentionally contrasts her take with the comments of people she sees as lacking full context — which creates emotional tension and drives viewer engagement.
One of the key reasons this reel took off is its strong expert narrative. Vivian presents herself as someone with real access, experience, and firsthand knowledge — which instantly builds credibility and attracts viewers who are looking for more than surface-level hot takes.
Plus, the topic of tariffs, China, and BRICS is a hot-button political and economic issue in the U.S. right now. Viewers want to understand how these decisions affect their lives — from product prices to supply chain access to the strength of the dollar. Vivian breaks this down with direct, passionate language and a clear sense of urgency. Her delivery appeals to both supporters and skeptics, which sparks comments, shares, and high engagement.
The format also plays a key role — she responds point-by-point to popular comments from her earlier videos. This adds a sense of continuity, almost like an ongoing series, and keeps people coming back. Each rebuttal is grounded in numbers or logic, but delivered in plain, relatable language — not an academic lecture.
In short, this video went viral because:
– It tackles a current and controversial topic
– The creator speaks with authority and insider insight
– The arguments are clear, well-reasoned, and data-backed
– The tone is bold and compelling
– And it invites debate, which TikTok’s algorithm rewards
It’s a strong, fearless form of economic education that thrives on social media — especially when people are hungry for clarity in a noisy political moment.
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