While the Toy Association whines about tariffs, American toy companies are experiencing a manufacturing renaissance not seen in decades.
Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports are breathing new life into domestic toy manufacturing, with companies like Simplay3 and Cra-Z-Art expanding operations across Ohio, Tennessee, and Florida. Despite industry lobbyists claiming it’s impossible to make toys in America, these companies are proving otherwise by running factories 24/7 and expanding production space by 50%. The economic strategy is working exactly as intended – raising costs on foreign imports while creating domestic manufacturing jobs that had been shipped overseas for decades. Meanwhile, the Toy Association continues pushing for exemptions, claiming the expertise in Chinese manufacturing cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Trump’s Trade Strategy Creates American Manufacturing Jobs
Remember when experts told us manufacturing was never coming back to America? That those jobs were gone forever? Well, someone forgot to tell American toymakers who are now experiencing a domestic production boom thanks to President Trump’s tariff policies. With nearly 80% of toys sold in the U.S. previously coming from China, these tariffs are finally leveling the playing field that had been tilted against American workers for decades. Ohio-based Simplay3 is now hiring more workers and operating around the clock using their “rotational molding” process, while Cra-Z-Art is dramatically expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint by 50%.
Despite what globalist economists predicted, these American companies aren’t passing along huge price increases to consumers. Instead, they’re finding they can compete effectively when Chinese imports aren’t artificially cheap due to currency manipulation, lax environmental standards, and near-slave labor practices. By manufacturing domestically, these companies avoid the 15-20% price increases that would come from tariffed Chinese goods – proving that America First policies deliver real economic benefits to both workers and consumers.
The Toy Industry’s Confused Response
The Toy Association’s response to these tariffs has been nothing short of panic. They’ve been lobbying hard to exempt toys from the tariffs, claiming the specialized expertise in Chinese manufacturing can’t possibly be replicated in America. Really? The country that put men on the moon and created the iPhone can’t figure out how to make plastic toys? This kind of defeatist attitude is exactly why American manufacturing has suffered for decades. Instead of rising to the challenge, industry lobbyists want to maintain the status quo of outsourced production and hollowed-out American communities.
Amid President Trump's tariffs, America's largest toy maker is shifting a significant portion of its manufacturing from China to the U.S., a move dubbed the "Trump Effect," boosting domestic production and potentially reshaping global supply chains. pic.twitter.com/QQEaPTsfMB
— Shooting Shining 🌞 (@ShootingShining) March 14, 2025
The North American Toy Fair in New York City was apparently consumed with tariff talk rather than innovation. One executive complained, “It’s the first thing we talk about and the last thing we talk about.” Here’s a radical thought: Why not talk about how to make better products in America? Some manufacturers are already figuring it out, like Abacus Brands, which plans to produce one of its products in the U.S. without additional costs. Revolutionary concept, I know, making things in the country where they’re sold!
The Economic Benefits Are Real
The expanded manufacturing operations don’t just create jobs – they create entire economic ecosystems. When Simplay3 runs 24/7 in Ohio, that means more truck drivers delivering materials and finished goods, more local restaurants serving workers, more tax revenue supporting schools and infrastructure. This is how real economic growth happens, not through importing ever-cheaper goods while exporting American jobs. And consumers are responding positively to the pricing strategies these companies are implementing to maintain competitiveness.
“We consciously made an effort, as a small company we can do this, we can make a conscious effort to start designing products that are under $100, that are $79, that are $49, and now we see that we get the sales back up through volume, not necessarily through the price, but that’s what the consumer is looking for right now.” – John Hradisky
Cra-Z-Art’s expansion will increase its domestic manufacturing space to 1.5 million square feet. That’s not just a business decision; it’s a vote of confidence in American workers and the future of domestic manufacturing. Their CEO Lawrence Rosen made it clear: “Based on the current economic climate, we are taking decisive action to expand and invest in American manufacturing.” Translation: When the playing field is level, Americans can compete and win. The tariffs aren’t a tax on consumers as critics claim – they’re an investment in rebuilding American industrial capability.
The Bottom Line
For decades, politicians from both parties told us global trade deals would benefit everyone. What they didn’t mention was that factory workers in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania would bear the brunt of the “transition,” while Wall Street and Silicon Valley reaped the rewards. Trump’s tariffs are finally addressing this imbalance, and the results speak for themselves. American companies are expanding, hiring, and producing goods domestically again. The toy industry can either adapt to this new reality or continue complaining while innovative companies steal their market share.
“benefits because they’re not going to see an additional $15 tacked on to a $100 item.” – Marshall Murdough
The lesson is clear: America doesn’t need to surrender its manufacturing base to compete globally. We just need fair trade policies that recognize the value of American workers and the importance of a diversified economy. So the next time you buy a toy for your child or grandchild, check where it was made. You might be surprised to find more “Made in USA” labels than you expected – and that’s something worth celebrating, no matter what the Toy Association lobbyists say.
