日本語
한국어
Tiếng Việt
简体中文
The cost of play is on the rise! As President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods take hold, American families are feeling the pinch, with toy prices soaring at an unprecedented rate.
Stay informed with updates from The Independent. Manage your notifications in your browser preferences.
Toy Prices Skyrocket Amid Trade War
New data reveals a significant increase in the price of toys and games, directly linked to the tariffs imposed on goods imported from China. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2.2% jump in the price of toys, games, and playground equipment between April and May, while overall inflation remained relatively stable at 0.1%.
Experts warn that this is just the beginning. With nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. manufactured in China, the toy industry is bracing for further increases.
Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment (makers of Bratz and Little Tikes), predicts a “domino effect,” with prices continuing to climb and potentially leading to empty shelves and reduced innovation.
The Impact on Consumers
President Trump has acknowledged the potential for higher prices and limited inventory, suggesting that children might have to make do with fewer, more expensive toys. Some toy manufacturers say they have no choice but to pass the tariff costs onto consumers.
Scott Clarke, president of Douglas (stuffed animals), notes that while they’ve absorbed some of the tariffs, the burden ultimately falls on American consumers.
Mattel Faces Pressure
Last month, Mattel, the iconic toy company behind Barbie and Hot Wheels, faced pressure from President Trump to move production to the U.S. CEO Ynon Kreiz indicated that diversifying production to other countries or raising prices was more likely than relocating to the U.S.
Trump responded by threatening a 100% tariff on Mattel’s toys if they didn’t comply.
What to Expect
The Toy Association anticipates price increases of 15% to 20% on various toys as the back-to-school shopping season approaches. With consumers typically willing to spend between $4.99 and $19.99 per toy, there’s limited room for price hikes without impacting sales.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tags: Donald Trump, Toys, Tariffs, China, Mattel, Toy Prices, Trade War