Vape Makers Turn to 'Made in America' Credentials Amid Trump's Tariffs, Crackdown

US Vaping Market Shifts to 'Made in America' Amid Tariffs, Crackdown

Market Dynamics and Regulatory Response

By Emma Rumney

LONDON, April 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. vaping market, long dominated by Chinese imports, is seeing an uptick of "Made in America" products, in what some analysts and industry executives say is a reaction to the Trump administration's crackdown on unlicensed brands.

The products suggest the multi-billion-dollar industry is shifting marketing tactics under President Donald Trump's global trade tariff salvoes and a tougher approach to unlicensed vapes from U.S. authorities, especially against popular Chinese labels.

The United States is the world's top market for vapes, coveted by major tobacco players like British American Tobacco, which estimated the market was worth around $12 billion in 2024. Most vapes globally are produced in China, and the devices are imported and distributed in the U.S. often without formal permission from regulators.

Emergence of American-Branded Vapes

Since October last year, at least eight new vape brands playing up their American credentials have appeared among the broad array of unlicensed labels available on U.S. shelves, according to a Reuters analysis. Trademark documents and business filings show some of those eight brands, all of which lack permission for sale in the U.S., are controlled by U.S. firms but at least two are Chinese or Hong Kong-owned.

Pallav Mittal, analyst at Barclays, said the vape companies appeared to be betting that the move would make their labels less likely to "catch the eyes" of customs officials on the lookout for unlicensed Chinese vapes at the U.S. border.

That could mean the U.S. crackdown on the massive illegal vape market will have an even more gradual impact than major tobacco companies were hoping, he added.

"(If) the illegal players have found another way to stay in the U.S. market... then this shift from illegal to legal will probably slow down," Mittal said.

Regulatory Stance and Enforcement

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to comment on whether there had been a shift towards U.S. production of vapes, but said it is illegal to sell unauthorised vapes regardless of where they are made.

Brand Strategies and Ownership

Marketing American Identity

The website of one brand, Maxus Star, proclaims "Vape American" and shows the device emblazoned with stars, stripes and a "built in the USA" stamp.

Reuters could not verify where the device is made. The "MAXUS" brand is owned in the U.S. by Hong Kong-based Rivermountain (H.K.) Tech, which also holds trademarks in China for sub-brands of Chinese vape maker Freemax, trademark documents show. MAXUS Star, Freemax and Rivermountain did not respond to requests for comment.

Foreign Ownership and Manufacturing Uncertainty

Another new label, OneTank, displays a stamp with an American flag and the phrase "made in USA" on its packaging. It is controlled by a representative of Shenzhen Onevape Technology, local business filings and U.S. trademark documents show. OneTank and Shenzhen Onevape Technology did not respond to requests for comment.

Reuters could not establish whether OneTank had any U.S. manufacturing sites.

Shifts in Production and Supply Chain

Some manufacturers could be trialling U.S. production or increasing their use of U.S.-made vape liquids to help lower tariff costs, said Steve Xu, an adjunct assistant professor who follows the industry at Canada's University of Waterloo.

Small U.S.-based vape company Charlie's Holdings Inc in December opened its first U.S. factory to fill one of its disposable vape brands with e-liquid, citing supply chain disruptions associated with importing finished devices and consumer preference for "Made in America" brands. Its annual report states its disposable vapes are produced by a Chinese manufacturing partner.

TARGETING UNLICENSED VAPES

Market Share and Licensing

Unlicensed vapes account for some 70% of U.S. vape sales, according to BAT, whose own devices have lost market share as a result.

The FDA has licensed only 41 vapes for sale.

Government Crackdown and Rhetoric

As it launched a crackdown on unlicensed vapes last year, the Trump administration singled out Chinese devices. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and former Attorney General Pam Bondi said at a major vape seizure that China was profiting from dumping "dangerous" illegal vapes in the U.S.

The uptick in "Made in America" vape marketing reflects how U.S. consumers are regularly hearing from the Trump administration that products made in China are bad, said one vape industry consultant who works with Chinese firms. They asked not to be named due to confidentiality agreements.

Industry Response and Trade Data

Some tobacco companies say, without offering evidence, that the marketing trend reflects a pivot by Chinese rivals. Chinese trade data shows no drop-off in vapes exported to the U.S. from China, with shipments worth over $4 billion in 2025.

Tadeu Marroco, BAT's CEO, said it was part of a move "to get around" state and federal regulations. Some of BAT's own products lack FDA licences.

Adaptation and Enforcement

"As the administration increases enforcement, they get more creative," Marroco said.

(Reporting by Emma Rumney in London; Additional reporting by Nathan Crooks in Houston; Editing by Nia Williams)