The stock market rallied on news of a partial trade truce between the U.S. and China but, for consumers, the pain remains very real. That’s especially the case for new and expecting parents, who are confronting stiff hikes on items like strollers and high chairs as companies raise prices in the face of economic uncertainty.
More broadly, every baby product could be impacted by the trade war, according to Babylist. That includes: cribs and bassinets, nursery furniture, high chairs, baby clothes and shoes, toys, play gyms, diaper bags, monitors, and European-made formula, among others.
“A global supply chain allows the U.S.-based companies that design these lifesaving products to search the world to bring the best mix of product quality and value to parents and caregivers by working with suppliers that have specialized capabilities,” the letter reads. “The death of even one American child due to unavailability of affordable lifesaving baby products is too many.”
“For parents, car seats, high chairs, strollers, and cribs are not optional purchases—they are necessities,” the letter reads. “American families should not be forced to choose between their livelihoods and reliance on poor-quality baby gear.”
That could have a huge impact on the holiday shopping season with far fewer toys on shelves, as companies typically begin making those orders now.
Tariffs have “frozen the toy production supply chain,” the Toy Association’s survey says. Because 96% of American toy companies are small or medium sized, according the organization, many will not be able to withstand the price increases and could even be forced out of business.
