Toy Tariffs Delayed as U.S. and China Resume Trade Talks

July 1, 2019 | As The Toy Association continues to monitor and advocate to protect the U.S. toy industry, Association leadership have been closely following the Trump administration’s decision to delay implementation of the “fourth list” of tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese imports, including all finished toys. Tariffs on Chinese products from lists one through three remain in effect including some inputs, components, and raw materials for domestic toy production.

The announcement came Saturday when President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping agreed to resume trade negotiations.

“After months of advocacy at the highest levels of government, our leadership role in the Americans for Free Trade coalition, securing top Washington, DC firm Hogan Lovells in support of our External Affairs team, and our relentless efforts to ensure the toy community’s story was heard in all forms of media, The Toy Association is relieved that the fourth list of tariffs has at least been delayed,” stated Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association.

The Toy Association has been aggressively advocating against tariffs for more than a year and, as an active member and leader of the Americans for Free Trade coalition, will continue to spread awareness about the detrimental impact of tariffs on American companies, jobs, and families. Over the past week, the Association has gained support from Congressional members; Rep. Walorski (R-IN), Rep. Hollingsworth (R-IN), Rep. Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Schrader (D-OR) have all sent or are planning to send letters to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opposing tariffs. The Association will also maintain its education campaign about the impacts of tariffs, including its digital resource, DontTaxToys.com.

Pasierb added: “As The Toy Association has been saying since the 2016 proposal of a Border Adjustment Tax and now throughout this year-long tariff war, these levies would place the burden of sharp price increases on small businesses and American consumers, ruin Christmas and special occasions for families, and cause irreparable harm to the U.S. toy community and our retail partners. We support free and fair trade, including the administration’s goal to address inequities and nagging issues such as intellectual property protection. It is our hope that renewed negotiations will produce meaningful progress, while we remain adamant that tariffs on children’s toys is the wrong approach and should never come to pass.”

As the issue develops, The Toy Association will continue to keep members and industry stakeholders apprised of developments. Contact Ed Desmond, executive vice president of external affairs, with questions or feedback on the Association’s advocacy efforts.