Editor’s Note
2Firsts closely follows U.S. regulatory actions and their impact on China’s vaping supply chain. In response to Reuters’ recent report on British American Tobacco’s letter to the Trump administration, our editorial team provides the following analysis, combining public policy insight with firsthand industry observations from China.
As enforcement escalates and compliance expectations rise, we will continue to track how Chinese manufacturers adapt to shifting requirements in one of their largest export markets.
Key Findings from the Reuters Report: Core Issues and Details
Source: Reuters | Date: April 1, 2025 | Author: Emma Rumney
1. Big tobacco companies are pressuring the Trump administration to crack down on Chinese disposable vapes. British American Tobacco (BAT), through its U.S. subsidiary Reynolds American, submitted a letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on March 11, calling for a full ban on disposable vape imports from China and proposing additional tariffs on other China-made vaping and alternative tobacco products. The company argues that Chinese firms engage in unfair and illegal trade practices, harming law-abiding U.S. companies.
2. BAT estimates that the U.S. vaping market is worth approximately $12.9 billion annually, with around 70% of sales attributed to unauthorized disposable products. Most of these products are manufactured in China and have not received FDA authorization.
3.The Reuters report highlights significant political and financial connections between BAT and the Trump campaign. Reynolds donated $10 million to the pro-Trump Super PAC “Make America Great Again Inc.” The company’s lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, has deep ties to the Trump administration. Brian Ballard, the firm’s president, chaired Trump’s Florida Finance Committee in 2016. Ballard Partners previously employed two current senior officials: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. While the White House stated that Wiles has had no contact with BAT or Ballard since January 2025, the Department of Justice declined to comment, and Ballard Partners did not respond.
4. Tobacco companies continue to express dissatisfaction with the FDA’s regulatory process. Their concerns include the slow pace of product authorization, inadequate enforcement against unauthorized products, and a lack of transparency in the PMTA review pathway. The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) argues that the current regulatory framework has effectively banned flavored vapes. Industry consultants cited in the report warn that the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) could face restructuring or closure amid ongoing federal public health reform plans.
5. President Trump has signaled public support for the vaping industry. In September 2024, he posted on Truth Social a pledge to “Save Vaping.” This followed a meeting between Trump and VTA President Tony Abboud earlier that year.
Read the original text：Big Tobacco targets Trump in hope - and fear - of change
How Chinese Manufacturers Are Responding to a Changing U.S. Regulatory Landscape
Throughout 2024, growing regulatory pressure and enforcement efforts by the FDA have triggered a shift in how Chinese vaping manufacturers approach the U.S. market. Once confident in exploiting regulatory gray zones, many are now reconsidering their strategies.
First, perceptions have changed. Companies that previously assumed a disconnect between U.S. policy and enforcement—believing that strict rules would not translate into action—are reassessing their risk exposure. The notion that enforcement would remain weak has given way to greater vigilance.
Second, structural adjustments are emerging. To reduce legal exposure, some firms have started building clearer corporate separations between their Chinese operations and U.S. entities. These “firewall” arrangements are designed to isolate liability and demonstrate distance from direct import activity.
Third, the compliance bar has risen in commercial negotiations. More U.S. distributors are now asking Chinese manufacturers to provide PMTA documentation—specifically Acceptance or Filing Letters—as a condition for doing business. Without these documents, some orders have been paused or canceled.
Finally, product development has slowed. In 2024, several major Chinese brands launched new U.S.-market-targeted products on a monthly basis. Since the start of 2025, however, that pace has dramatically declined. Facing legal uncertainty and shifting political winds, many companies are adopting a wait-and-see approach rather than committing resources to new product lines.
This shift suggests a broader turning point in U.S.–China vape commerce, as regulatory enforcement and political influence converge to reshape what had previously been a largely unregulated export channel.
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