75% of Toys Sold in the U.S. Are Made in China

Prices Surge Up to 36% Due to Tariffs

“A Case That Shows How Quickly Prices Can Rise”

Toy prices in the U.S. saw a record monthly increase last month, largely due to steep tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump administration. About three out of four toys sold in the U.S.—roughly 75%—are made in China. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reported by The Washington Post on the 24th (local time), prices for toys, games, and recreational equipment in the U.S. rose 2.2% in May compared to April. That marks the largest single-month jump in recorded history. In contrast, the overall inflation rate for the same period was just 0.1%. "The price of toys is rising at the fastest rate in history," the Post noted, calling it “one of the first real-world examples of how new trade policies can rapidly drive up consumer prices.” Previously, the Trump administration imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods, although last month the tariff rate was reduced to 30% following an agreement with China. While tariffs were also raised during Trump’s first term, toys were previously excluded due to concerns over their heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing and the potential for sharp price increases.A Case That Shows How Quickly Prices Can Rise”

The Post explained, “Over the decades, the U.S. toy industry has deeply entrenched its manufacturing base in China. Toys sold in the U.S. must undergo testing by third-party safety certification agencies, most of which are also based in China, effectively making the country a one-stop production hub.” This time, however, toys were not granted any exemptions from tariffs—and the price hikes are now reflecting that. Toy companies have responded by raising retail prices by as much as 36% to offset the impact of the tariffs. The effects are being felt not just by consumers but also by workers in the toy industry. Hasbro, the American toy giant known for games like Monopoly, laid off 3% of its workforce this month. The company had previously warned that tariffs could lead to both higher product prices and job losses. To cope with the new trade climate, toy makers are quietly revising their sales strategies—shifting focus away from experimental products and instead leaning into classic favorites like board games and dolls, as well as smaller, lower-cost toys instead of larger, more expensive ones.

(The Korea Daily, June 24, 2025)