Because the Barbie will cost more and it is Trump’s fault: the products at risk in the USA with the duties against China

The price of the Barbie in the United States risks increasing. It is the umpteenth consequence of the duties that the Trump administration has decided to impose on the goods arriving from China. When we talk about the dependence of the United States on Beijing, we think above all of the rare lands or the production of iPhone: 9 out of 10 are « made in china ». Hence the decision of the White House to exclude smartphones and computers from rates. But the dragon also produces 75% of the dolls, tricycles and scooters that are purchased by American consumers.

Mattel thinks about increasing prices

Already in recent months Mattel had made it known that it could increase Barbie’s prices in the United States to compensate for the impact of duties. The company’s shares collapsed by 27% after Trump announced what he continues to call « mutual rates » even if, As highlighted by several economists, they have nothing mutual.

At risk of microwaves, fans

The Financial Times Calculate that 46 of the 50 products for which the United States depend most from China are still subject to duties, despite the exclusion of smartphones, PCs and other electronic devices. These products have an import value greater than one billion dollars and could become unobtainable or see their costs increase in an exponential way. Nine out of ten electric fans purchased abroad from the United States in 2024 came from China, as well as 40% of the conditionersI, remember the Financial Times. AND 90% of microwave ovens imported into the USA.

The impact on toys

The New York Times Ricorda that Three quarters of the toys imported to the United States come from China. Before the Trump settlement, tricycles, plush, dolls and puzzles manufactured in China were not subject to rates. Now on this kind of imports a duty of 145% weighs. How do you get to this figure? To the mutual rates of 125% imposed on Chinese imports must be added the 20% duty imposed by Trump at the beginning of the mandate on all Chinese import.

Clothing

It goes even worse to the wool sweaters. In this case, at a basic rate of 16%, which applies to imports from any country, an extra tariff of 7.5% pre-existing, 20% of duties imposed on China must be added to counter the trafficking of Fenanyl and the new rates of 125%. The total is a 168.5% duty on each wool sweater of Chinese origin.

Smartphone: no mutual duties does not mean zero duties

The exemption of smartphones, computers and other electronic devices with mutual duties does not mean that these products are not subject to any rate. As the American media are explaining, they will still be subject to the 20% dice introduced by Trump on Chinese products, at the beginning of its mandate. It is therefore not a total stop, but only a partial exclusion, which still made a sigh of relief to the big tech.