Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain
Friday, May 9th, 2025 10:03PM CDT
Categories: Toy News, People NewsPosted by: william-james88 Views: 58,629
Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply
The tariffs have been a big part of the discussion for toy collectors all over the internet. We are currently waiting to see when Pulse updates their site with new prices, since right now no one can actually preorder anything anymore. Part of the discussion surrounding the topic was the idea to bring toy manufacturing to the US like never before. The issue is that, unlike Lego, Transformers toys and other action figures are made up of parts that need manual assembling. So labor becomes a much larger expense and it's always been handled in Asia due to cost. There is a video below of a car from Mattel being made and you can see how the labor component comes into play, as an example. All this is just to give context to the recent words from Mattel CEO, Ynon Kreiz, where he was asked if manufacturing in the US would be cheaper now that tariffs are in place. He simply answered "we don't see that happening".
The interview is very interesting for those curious about the toy industry He did follow that by saying that there is a toymaker association that is currently lobbying for toys to have zero tariffs. The logic behind that is that while the manufacturing component is done outside the US, all other steps of toy production are done in the US with Americans being hired as designers and engineers to make the toys. So the end product consumed by Americans is not an entirely foreign product. At least, that's how the CEO's words could be interpreted, he does get very word salad-y. The good news is that he said he didn't foresee Christmas shortages.
Trump did reply to those comments but misspoke, referring to Mattel as a country.
The interview is very interesting for those curious about the toy industry He did follow that by saying that there is a toymaker association that is currently lobbying for toys to have zero tariffs. The logic behind that is that while the manufacturing component is done outside the US, all other steps of toy production are done in the US with Americans being hired as designers and engineers to make the toys. So the end product consumed by Americans is not an entirely foreign product. At least, that's how the CEO's words could be interpreted, he does get very word salad-y. The good news is that he said he didn't foresee Christmas shortages.
Trump did reply to those comments but misspoke, referring to Mattel as a country.
News Search
Got Transformers News? Let us know here!
Most Popular Transformers News
Most Recent Transformers News
News Categories: Toy News, Movie News, Cartoon News, Comic Book News, Site News, Rumors, Events, Media Vault, Collectibles, Sponsor News, Game News, Site Articles, Reviews, Retailer News, People News, Company News, Sightings, Press Releases, Unlicensed Products News, Auctions, Transtopia, Interviews, Voices, Collectors' Club News, Knock Offs, Twincasts, Heavy Metal War, Contests, Book News, Top Lists
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190493)
Posted by gr1ml0ck on May 9th, 2025 @ 11:42pm CDT
Posted by gr1ml0ck on May 9th, 2025 @ 11:42pm CDT
Obviously because slave labour isn't available in the US. What a stupid idea these people have about manufacturing returning here. We outsourced everything, no way its coming back. These greedy companies will simply make us pay the difference rather than pay people fair wages.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190494)
Posted by Triggerdick Megatron on May 10th, 2025 @ 1:09am CDT
Haha lol.
This is all just about money, nothing else. Manufacturing will not return to America and definitely not assembly work.
Posted by Triggerdick Megatron on May 10th, 2025 @ 1:09am CDT
Trump did reply to those comments but misspoke, referring to Mattel as a country.
Haha lol.
This is all just about money, nothing else. Manufacturing will not return to America and definitely not assembly work.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190498)
Posted by Emerje on May 10th, 2025 @ 4:14am CDT
It's not slave wages. The wages they are being paid are a living wage in those countries. We've come a long ways since the pre-80s and 90s when Nikes were being sewn together by kids in dirt floor shacks. These factories now offer incentives like food, housing, transportation and healthcare, and the facilities are being inspected by human rights watch dogs. I hear the same complaints from US tech industry opponents which is ridiculous when they require clean, if not sterile, conditions. There's any number of videos from inside toy factories in China, these aren't sweatshops. You want to talk about slave wages, our government doesn't even offer living wages for crying out loud, inflation outpaced minimum wage long ago, more US factories isn't going to change that! Federal minimum wage in 1968 would be worth more than $12 right now in 2025 when the federal minim wage is only $7.25. 21 states have state minimum wages tied to the federal rate. Bet I can guess which states will be getting factories!
What Trump and his cronies want to do is move manufacturing to the US is automate it, this has nothing to do with American jobs. You can't automate toy manufacturing, it's impossible, you can't make a specific machine for every toy ever made unless it's something very simple and timeless. Every action figure and doll is hand assembled and hand painted, lots of hands touch every single one of them down the assembly line. This isn't a cheap process. All that will happen with high Chinese tariffs is companies will just find a new low tariff, low living wage country to move to and it wont be the US.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on May 10th, 2025 @ 4:14am CDT
gr1ml0ck wrote:Obviously because slave labour isn't available in the US. What a stupid idea these people have about manufacturing returning here. We outsourced everything, no way its coming back. These greedy companies will simply make us pay the difference rather than pay people fair wages.
It's not slave wages. The wages they are being paid are a living wage in those countries. We've come a long ways since the pre-80s and 90s when Nikes were being sewn together by kids in dirt floor shacks. These factories now offer incentives like food, housing, transportation and healthcare, and the facilities are being inspected by human rights watch dogs. I hear the same complaints from US tech industry opponents which is ridiculous when they require clean, if not sterile, conditions. There's any number of videos from inside toy factories in China, these aren't sweatshops. You want to talk about slave wages, our government doesn't even offer living wages for crying out loud, inflation outpaced minimum wage long ago, more US factories isn't going to change that! Federal minimum wage in 1968 would be worth more than $12 right now in 2025 when the federal minim wage is only $7.25. 21 states have state minimum wages tied to the federal rate. Bet I can guess which states will be getting factories!
What Trump and his cronies want to do is move manufacturing to the US is automate it, this has nothing to do with American jobs. You can't automate toy manufacturing, it's impossible, you can't make a specific machine for every toy ever made unless it's something very simple and timeless. Every action figure and doll is hand assembled and hand painted, lots of hands touch every single one of them down the assembly line. This isn't a cheap process. All that will happen with high Chinese tariffs is companies will just find a new low tariff, low living wage country to move to and it wont be the US.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190501)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 10th, 2025 @ 6:11am CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 10th, 2025 @ 6:11am CDT
Yeah, it's easy to comprehend the basic idea behind Trump's tariff and what he's selling.
I can even give the benefit of doubt and say that he genuinely want to make everything better.
But maaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnn, was all of this poorly planned.
Compromises are a inevitability. We just have to sit back and wait.
I can even give the benefit of doubt and say that he genuinely want to make everything better.
But maaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnn, was all of this poorly planned.
Compromises are a inevitability. We just have to sit back and wait.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190502)
Posted by Glyph on May 10th, 2025 @ 6:44am CDT
Posted by Glyph on May 10th, 2025 @ 6:44am CDT
I'm long, long past giving them the benefit of doubt on anything.
Re domestic manufacturing: Another factor that doesn't get mentioned as much, alongside costs, is long-term stability. Bluntly, even if US vs China manufacturing costs temporarily work out in the light of +145% tariffs (they don't, but assume arguendo), nobody is going to spend millions-to-billions of dollars setting up new US manufacturing capacity based on what Trump says today when they know full well that he might say something completely different tomorrow, and his tariffs will almost certainly not outlive him / his term (whichever comes first - as soon as Trump himself is out of the picture, expect Congress to suddenly remember "oh yeah, the President doesn't actually have the authority to do any of this").
Re domestic manufacturing: Another factor that doesn't get mentioned as much, alongside costs, is long-term stability. Bluntly, even if US vs China manufacturing costs temporarily work out in the light of +145% tariffs (they don't, but assume arguendo), nobody is going to spend millions-to-billions of dollars setting up new US manufacturing capacity based on what Trump says today when they know full well that he might say something completely different tomorrow, and his tariffs will almost certainly not outlive him / his term (whichever comes first - as soon as Trump himself is out of the picture, expect Congress to suddenly remember "oh yeah, the President doesn't actually have the authority to do any of this").
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190514)
Posted by megatran on May 10th, 2025 @ 10:41pm CDT
Lets hope it doesn't become a contagion.
Posted by megatran on May 10th, 2025 @ 10:41pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:megatran wrote:Has Hasbro stated the impact of pricing on international markets. Pulse EU, UK, HK (Asia is now defunct). Thanks.
Hasbro has not clarified anything on the matter
Lets hope it doesn't become a contagion.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190517)
Posted by Emerje on May 11th, 2025 @ 8:58am CDT
Posted by Emerje on May 11th, 2025 @ 8:58am CDT
So when people wonder why toy companies aren't speaking out to Trump about the tariffs, know this: Aside from Trump calling Mattel a "country" when he probably meant "company", when Mattel said they'd move production out of China to another country other than the US Trump said he'd put a 100% tariff on Mattel and Mattel alone so they can't sell toys in the US ever again. That's the sort of abuse of power the industry is facing right now. He also continues to push the lie that consumers don't pay tariffs.
About 54:12
Emerje
About 54:12
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190518)
Posted by Glyph on May 11th, 2025 @ 9:11am CDT
Posted by Glyph on May 11th, 2025 @ 9:11am CDT
Which would of course be flagrantly illegal, but what else about the situation isn't.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190520)
Posted by Blastback on May 11th, 2025 @ 10:11pm CDT
This. All of this.
Posted by Blastback on May 11th, 2025 @ 10:11pm CDT
Glyph wrote:I'm long, long past giving them the benefit of doubt on anything.
Re domestic manufacturing: Another factor that doesn't get mentioned as much, alongside costs, is long-term stability. Bluntly, even if US vs China manufacturing costs temporarily work out in the light of +145% tariffs (they don't, but assume arguendo), nobody is going to spend millions-to-billions of dollars setting up new US manufacturing capacity based on what Trump says today when they know full well that he might say something completely different tomorrow, and his tariffs will almost certainly not outlive him / his term (whichever comes first - as soon as Trump himself is out of the picture, expect Congress to suddenly remember "oh yeah, the President doesn't actually have the authority to do any of this").
This. All of this.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190521)
Posted by megatran on May 11th, 2025 @ 10:26pm CDT
Posted by megatran on May 11th, 2025 @ 10:26pm CDT
Hasbro Pulse US is showing prices again for pre-orders?
Prices haven't changed?
Am I reading this right?
Prices haven't changed?
Am I reading this right?
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190527)
Posted by Emerje on May 12th, 2025 @ 4:47am CDT
Posted by Emerje on May 12th, 2025 @ 4:47am CDT
Over night it was announced that Chinese tariffs will be reduced to 30% this week. Still too much, but it's not so much that I have to cancel an order this month that I've been fretting about. Not crazy about the extra $60 but it's still cheaper than most retailers.
Everything is "temporarily unavailable" including a lot of in stock stuff.
Emerje
megatran wrote:Hasbro Pulse US is showing prices again for pre-orders?
Prices haven't changed?
Am I reading this right?
Everything is "temporarily unavailable" including a lot of in stock stuff.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190530)
Posted by Glyph on May 12th, 2025 @ 9:01am CDT
Shot, chaser.
Posted by Glyph on May 12th, 2025 @ 9:01am CDT
Glyph, 2 days ago, wrote:nobody is going to spend millions-to-billions of dollars setting up new US manufacturing capacity based on what Trump says today when they know full well that he might say something completely different tomorrow
Emerje wrote:Over night it was announced that Chinese tariffs will be reduced to 30% this week.
Shot, chaser.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190556)
Posted by megatran on May 12th, 2025 @ 10:16pm CDT
Thanks for the clarification re Hasbro Pulse US site.
The 30% tariff includes the pre-recipricpl tariff 20%. So effectively 10% since Trump 2nd term. China has also temporarily reduced their tit for tat tariff to 10% for 90 days while the hot mess is worked out.
I want to thank this site for allowing mature conversation on this topic. I know other US TF sites wave the ban stick just mere mentioning the T word.
Posted by megatran on May 12th, 2025 @ 10:16pm CDT
Emerje wrote:Over night it was announced that Chinese tariffs will be reduced to 30% this week. Still too much, but it's not so much that I have to cancel an order this month that I've been fretting about. Not crazy about the extra $60 but it's still cheaper than most retailers.megatran wrote:Hasbro Pulse US is showing prices again for pre-orders?
Prices haven't changed?
Am I reading this right?
Everything is "temporarily unavailable" including a lot of in stock stuff.
Emerje
Thanks for the clarification re Hasbro Pulse US site.
The 30% tariff includes the pre-recipricpl tariff 20%. So effectively 10% since Trump 2nd term. China has also temporarily reduced their tit for tat tariff to 10% for 90 days while the hot mess is worked out.
I want to thank this site for allowing mature conversation on this topic. I know other US TF sites wave the ban stick just mere mentioning the T word.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190557)
Posted by Emerje on May 12th, 2025 @ 10:53pm CDT
Posted by Emerje on May 12th, 2025 @ 10:53pm CDT
And now it sounds like the 30% is only for orders over $800 (to benefit corporations) while the rest of us ordering $800 or less get a "Temu tax" of 120%! I am so sick of this fucking administration's corrupt bullshit!
EDIT: Trump made an executive order changing the under $800 tax rate to 54% or a flat $100 fee. The flat fee makes no real sense, why would anyone choose the 54% on anything over $200? It's just all so stupid.
Emerje
EDIT: Trump made an executive order changing the under $800 tax rate to 54% or a flat $100 fee. The flat fee makes no real sense, why would anyone choose the 54% on anything over $200? It's just all so stupid.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190573)
Posted by william-james88 on May 13th, 2025 @ 4:23pm CDT
Posted by william-james88 on May 13th, 2025 @ 4:23pm CDT
The US and China have confirmed the tariff rate of 30% for the next 3 months for imports from China. And now Gamestop has unveiled their latest prices on preorders, which are around 30% higher than last week.
Here are the current prices on preorders:
Deluxes: 31.99 (28% increase from MSRP)
Commanders 119.99 (33% increase from MSRP)
Titan Star Optimus Prime 209.99 (40% increase from MSRP)
At the moment of writing, Entertainment Earth still has the 10% prices increase as opposed to the full 30% while Hasbro Pulse has all their preorders as unavailable.
Also, it is important to note that the 30% tariffs only apply to businesses. Individuals ordering from China now have an additional tax rate of 54% for imports (with a max of $100)
Here are the current prices on preorders:
Deluxes: 31.99 (28% increase from MSRP)
Commanders 119.99 (33% increase from MSRP)
Titan Star Optimus Prime 209.99 (40% increase from MSRP)
At the moment of writing, Entertainment Earth still has the 10% prices increase as opposed to the full 30% while Hasbro Pulse has all their preorders as unavailable.
Also, it is important to note that the 30% tariffs only apply to businesses. Individuals ordering from China now have an additional tax rate of 54% for imports (with a max of $100)
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190574)
Posted by morganprime on May 13th, 2025 @ 5:23pm CDT
Posted by morganprime on May 13th, 2025 @ 5:23pm CDT
See ya collecting!
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190577)
Posted by megatran on May 13th, 2025 @ 9:56pm CDT
Posted by megatran on May 13th, 2025 @ 9:56pm CDT
I'm probably stating the obvious, Gamestop is gauging in price. 30% tariff (up from existing 20%) doesn't necessarily translate to +30% MSRP.
Wonder if others will follow.
Wonder if others will follow.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190584)
Posted by Dino-Snarl on May 14th, 2025 @ 2:55am CDT
Posted by Dino-Snarl on May 14th, 2025 @ 2:55am CDT
We have not heard as yet about CDN price increases and we may never see them. The Titan Star OP price is $205 up here. However, with the EB Games (formerly Gamestop Canada) 10% discount (Platinum Member) that falls to $185 before taxes with free S/H.
To buy it from Gamestop US it would now be US $210 which works out to be CDN $305 MSRP and then $275 with the same discount before taxes with free S/H. These are now way cheaper (CDN $90) in Canada, even with our weaker dollar. Crazy!
To buy it from Gamestop US it would now be US $210 which works out to be CDN $305 MSRP and then $275 with the same discount before taxes with free S/H. These are now way cheaper (CDN $90) in Canada, even with our weaker dollar. Crazy!
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190586)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 14th, 2025 @ 4:31am CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 14th, 2025 @ 4:31am CDT
I do not trust that amazon.com will honor the price of the preorders that I made. So I cancelled everything.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190587)
Posted by Solrac333 on May 14th, 2025 @ 8:36am CDT
Posted by Solrac333 on May 14th, 2025 @ 8:36am CDT
Looks like I won't be buying from Game Stop. Pretty much everywhere. I'm gonna have fun looking at my incomplete Superion and incomplete Devastator.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190597)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on May 14th, 2025 @ 5:39pm CDT
I'm actually the opposite, at least on cancelling. Your pre-order authorization is for a certain amount. If the actual price at the time of shipment will be higher and they want you to pay that, it would require a second authorization because you only authorized a certain amount. If they do try to make everyone re-authorize at the higher price, so be it. I'll make my decision then, but I wouldn't cancel until I know for sure.
Oddly enough, for the regular retail figures like SS deluxe VW Bee and AotP voyager Heatwave, Amazon looks like they are matching the available pre-order pricing with their algorithm on figures I did not pre-order. The reason I believe it is their algorithm is because their exclusive Wreck and Doom sets are still at the original price. It will be interesting to see if that jumps up whenever Hasbro raises the price for those 2 sets on Pulse, which should be the only other US based website that they could look at.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on May 14th, 2025 @ 5:39pm CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:I do not trust that amazon.com will honor the price of the preorders that I made. So I cancelled everything.
I'm actually the opposite, at least on cancelling. Your pre-order authorization is for a certain amount. If the actual price at the time of shipment will be higher and they want you to pay that, it would require a second authorization because you only authorized a certain amount. If they do try to make everyone re-authorize at the higher price, so be it. I'll make my decision then, but I wouldn't cancel until I know for sure.
Oddly enough, for the regular retail figures like SS deluxe VW Bee and AotP voyager Heatwave, Amazon looks like they are matching the available pre-order pricing with their algorithm on figures I did not pre-order. The reason I believe it is their algorithm is because their exclusive Wreck and Doom sets are still at the original price. It will be interesting to see if that jumps up whenever Hasbro raises the price for those 2 sets on Pulse, which should be the only other US based website that they could look at.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190603)
Posted by megatran on May 14th, 2025 @ 9:58pm CDT
They will now be known as Inferion and Deficientstator.
Posted by megatran on May 14th, 2025 @ 9:58pm CDT
Solrac333 wrote:Looks like I won't be buying from Game Stop. Pretty much everywhere. I'm gonna have fun looking at my incomplete Superion and incomplete Devastator.
They will now be known as Inferion and Deficientstator.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190616)
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on May 15th, 2025 @ 7:33am CDT
In both cases, an arm and a leg are starting to cost, well, an arm and a leg.
I'll show myself out.
Posted by TF-fan kev777 on May 15th, 2025 @ 7:33am CDT
megatran wrote:Solrac333 wrote:Looks like I won't be buying from Game Stop. Pretty much everywhere. I'm gonna have fun looking at my incomplete Superion and incomplete Devastator.
They will now be known as Inferion and Deficientstator.
In both cases, an arm and a leg are starting to cost, well, an arm and a leg.
I'll show myself out.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190617)
Posted by Dino-Snarl on May 15th, 2025 @ 10:38am CDT
You both win this convo!
Posted by Dino-Snarl on May 15th, 2025 @ 10:38am CDT
TF-fan kev777 wrote:megatran wrote:Solrac333 wrote:Looks like I won't be buying from Game Stop. Pretty much everywhere. I'm gonna have fun looking at my incomplete Superion and incomplete Devastator.
They will now be known as Inferion and Deficientstator.
In both cases, an arm and a leg are starting to cost, well, an arm and a leg.
I'll show myself out.
You both win this convo!
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190619)
Posted by ILoveBigBots on May 15th, 2025 @ 5:07pm CDT
I don't know if their policy has changed as I haven't bought anything there in years, but when I use to buy game books there, I would occasionally find preorders that were obviously mispriced. They always honored the price. Sometimes I would end up with new books at 85-90% off cover price.
Posted by ILoveBigBots on May 15th, 2025 @ 5:07pm CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:
I do not trust that amazon.com will honor the price of the preorders that I made. So I cancelled everything.
I don't know if their policy has changed as I haven't bought anything there in years, but when I use to buy game books there, I would occasionally find preorders that were obviously mispriced. They always honored the price. Sometimes I would end up with new books at 85-90% off cover price.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190629)
Posted by megatran on May 15th, 2025 @ 10:49pm CDT
Don't despair. There are options.
Put aside a few dollars each week and before you know it you'll have a foot in the door or a leg in.
Put your hand up and ask someone for a leg up.
Posted by megatran on May 15th, 2025 @ 10:49pm CDT
TF-fan kev777 wrote:megatran wrote:Solrac333 wrote:Looks like I won't be buying from Game Stop. Pretty much everywhere. I'm gonna have fun looking at my incomplete Superion and incomplete Devastator.
They will now be known as Inferion and Deficientstator.
In both cases, an arm and a leg are starting to cost, well, an arm and a leg.
I'll show myself out.
Don't despair. There are options.
Put aside a few dollars each week and before you know it you'll have a foot in the door or a leg in.
Put your hand up and ask someone for a leg up.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190630)
Posted by william-james88 on May 15th, 2025 @ 11:50pm CDT
I have news but have yet to find the time to write the story, but it's confirmed that there is no increase to Canadian MSRP. Any change to MSRP and distribution is only for the US market.
So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
Posted by william-james88 on May 15th, 2025 @ 11:50pm CDT
Dino-Snarl wrote:We have not heard as yet about CDN price increases and we may never see them.
I have news but have yet to find the time to write the story, but it's confirmed that there is no increase to Canadian MSRP. Any change to MSRP and distribution is only for the US market.
So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190631)
Posted by Emerje on May 15th, 2025 @ 11:56pm CDT
Posted by Emerje on May 15th, 2025 @ 11:56pm CDT
So Amazon has now raised their prices to match Gamestop. 
I'll say it again, these figures are not made in China, they're made in Vietnam where the current tariff is 10%. Transformers are being given unreasonable price hikes tso they don't have to raise prices on toys for younger kids. Hasbro is taking advantage of us.
Side note, this article from Business Insider shows how dire the situation was at Hasbro. It says they're pausing some of their pricing plans since the tariff was reduced, was planing to cancel lines, and considered making some lines international. They also mentioned this would have changed planed retailor promotions.
Emerje
I'll say it again, these figures are not made in China, they're made in Vietnam where the current tariff is 10%. Transformers are being given unreasonable price hikes tso they don't have to raise prices on toys for younger kids. Hasbro is taking advantage of us.Side note, this article from Business Insider shows how dire the situation was at Hasbro. It says they're pausing some of their pricing plans since the tariff was reduced, was planing to cancel lines, and considered making some lines international. They also mentioned this would have changed planed retailor promotions.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190637)
Posted by Emerje on May 16th, 2025 @ 1:35am CDT
I think if the sales drop substantially under the new prices we could see international prices increase so it isn't just Americans shouldering them (though by all rights we should be) allowing US prices to become more manageable. Basically the same as what they're doing to us so they don't have to raise the prices on children's toys.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on May 16th, 2025 @ 1:35am CDT
william-james88 wrote:Dino-Snarl wrote:We have not heard as yet about CDN price increases and we may never see them.
I have news but have yet to find the time to write the story, but it's confirmed that there is no increase to Canadian MSRP. Any change to MSRP and distribution is only for the US market.
So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
I think if the sales drop substantially under the new prices we could see international prices increase so it isn't just Americans shouldering them (though by all rights we should be) allowing US prices to become more manageable. Basically the same as what they're doing to us so they don't have to raise the prices on children's toys.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190640)
Posted by hello88build on May 16th, 2025 @ 3:12am CDT
Posted by hello88build on May 16th, 2025 @ 3:12am CDT
GODD
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190701)
Posted by Delta Supreme on May 18th, 2025 @ 9:35am CDT
IMO This won't stop it. Pretty much nothing will.
For the record, I saw a headline / news report on someone's phone saying "Trump tells Walmart to hold the line on prices and 'eat' the difference (new tariff-related costs)", if this were true it comes across as "use your profits to uphold my promise to the people, or, even better, negotiate with China so they pay you and you forward the collections to the Govt."
Posted by Delta Supreme on May 18th, 2025 @ 9:35am CDT
william-james88 wrote:So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
IMO This won't stop it. Pretty much nothing will.
For the record, I saw a headline / news report on someone's phone saying "Trump tells Walmart to hold the line on prices and 'eat' the difference (new tariff-related costs)", if this were true it comes across as "use your profits to uphold my promise to the people, or, even better, negotiate with China so they pay you and you forward the collections to the Govt."
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190704)
Posted by Hero Alpha on May 18th, 2025 @ 12:58pm CDT
I like the second one, let's go with that.
Posted by Hero Alpha on May 18th, 2025 @ 12:58pm CDT
Delta Supreme wrote:william-james88 wrote:So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
IMO This won't stop it. Pretty much nothing will.
For the record, I saw a headline / news report on someone's phone saying "Trump tells Walmart to hold the line on prices and 'eat' the difference (new tariff-related costs)", if this were true it comes across as "use your profits to uphold my promise to the people, or, even better, negotiate with China so they pay you and you forward the collections to the Govt."
I like the second one, let's go with that.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2190712)
Posted by megatran on May 18th, 2025 @ 10:13pm CDT
Were you or someone added to that secret encrypted Signal app chat by accident?
Posted by megatran on May 18th, 2025 @ 10:13pm CDT
Delta Supreme wrote:william-james88 wrote:So while people say that Hasbro is just looking for an excuse to raise prices, they are not increasing prices worldwide. If they increase prices, it's just for the US and just so that the government does not scold them for charging a separate fee on the item highlighting the tariff.
IMO This won't stop it. Pretty much nothing will.
For the record, I saw a headline / news report on someone's phone saying "Trump tells Walmart to hold the line on prices and 'eat' the difference (new tariff-related costs)", if this were true it comes across as "use your profits to uphold my promise to the people, or, even better, negotiate with China so they pay you and you forward the collections to the Govt."
Were you or someone added to that secret encrypted Signal app chat by accident?
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2191577)
Posted by Emerje on June 11th, 2025 @ 9:48am CDT
Posted by Emerje on June 11th, 2025 @ 9:48am CDT
Well, Trump says his deal with China is done and it so far looks like a terrible deal for us.
US gets-
China gets-
So basically things are even worse for US consumers and China gets a great deal on imports and education. Yes, Chinese factories will hurt from this, but there's still no sign of alternatives to Chinese manufacturing for US consumers. Great deal for US billionaires who not only get to sell to China at a low tax rate but also get access to rare minerals to make the stuff they're selling there. But this deal seriously screw average Americans. It's also been pointed out that these minerals come from the notorious western region of Xinjiang known for their prison and slave labor mining. Republicans that are wrongly claiming Chinese factories are sweatshops as an excuse to move manufacturing out of China should be outraged over this, but they wont be since it's Trump's plan and he doesn't care so why should they?
Emerje
US gets-
- 55% tariff on imports (up from 30%)
- Mineral rights from China
China gets-
- 10% tariff on imports from the USA
- Chinese students can attend US universities again
So basically things are even worse for US consumers and China gets a great deal on imports and education. Yes, Chinese factories will hurt from this, but there's still no sign of alternatives to Chinese manufacturing for US consumers. Great deal for US billionaires who not only get to sell to China at a low tax rate but also get access to rare minerals to make the stuff they're selling there. But this deal seriously screw average Americans. It's also been pointed out that these minerals come from the notorious western region of Xinjiang known for their prison and slave labor mining. Republicans that are wrongly claiming Chinese factories are sweatshops as an excuse to move manufacturing out of China should be outraged over this, but they wont be since it's Trump's plan and he doesn't care so why should they?
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2191593)
Posted by megatran on June 11th, 2025 @ 10:46pm CDT
On another US Transformers fansite (which I won't name), you will get an automatic ban just mere mentioning the T word(s). Glad we can have a mature discussion here, including posting factual news updates.
There are no winners in a trade/tariff war for the ordinary folks.
I'm not even from the US, but I've been asked by my work to look at alternative supply arrangements (secondary & tertiary suppliers) as assurance of supply strategy should preferred suppliers go bust for whatever reason. I already have a full workload thankyou very much.
Posted by megatran on June 11th, 2025 @ 10:46pm CDT
Emerje wrote:Well, Trump says his deal with China is done and it so far looks like a terrible deal for us.
US gets-
- 55% tariff on imports (up from 30%)
- Mineral rights from China
China gets-
- 10% tariff on imports from the USA
- Chinese students can attend US universities again
So basically things are even worse for US consumers and China gets a great deal on imports and education. Yes, Chinese factories will hurt from this, but there's still no sign of alternatives to Chinese manufacturing for US consumers. Great deal for US billionaires who not only get to sell to China at a low tax rate but also get access to rare minerals to make the stuff they're selling there. But this deal seriously screw average Americans. It's also been pointed out that these minerals come from the notorious western region of Xinjiang known for their prison and slave labor mining. Republicans that are wrongly claiming Chinese factories are sweatshops as an excuse to move manufacturing out of China should be outraged over this, but they wont be since it's Trump's plan and he doesn't care so why should they?
Emerje
On another US Transformers fansite (which I won't name), you will get an automatic ban just mere mentioning the T word(s). Glad we can have a mature discussion here, including posting factual news updates.
There are no winners in a trade/tariff war for the ordinary folks.
I'm not even from the US, but I've been asked by my work to look at alternative supply arrangements (secondary & tertiary suppliers) as assurance of supply strategy should preferred suppliers go bust for whatever reason. I already have a full workload thankyou very much.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2191598)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on June 12th, 2025 @ 4:40am CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on June 12th, 2025 @ 4:40am CDT
I work at a factory where we mainly use steel and aluminum to create and build our machines. At first, the Trump tariffs slowed our work to a crawl for a month or two. But my competent boss found some work-around and now, we are so swamped with work, we have trouble to keep up!
So, if people know what they are doing, I'm sure everything will balance itself out.
So, if people know what they are doing, I'm sure everything will balance itself out.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2191683)
Posted by Emerje on June 16th, 2025 @ 4:32am CDT
Yeah, though right now it just sounds like companies are willing to move their factories from country to country as many times as it takes to avoid moving to the US. They seem to be banking on being able to outlast the Trump presidency.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on June 16th, 2025 @ 4:32am CDT
-Kanrabat- wrote:I work at a factory where we mainly use steel and aluminum to create and build our machines. At first, the Trump tariffs slowed our work to a crawl for a month or two. But my competent boss found some work-around and now, we are so swamped with work, we have trouble to keep up!
So, if people know what they are doing, I'm sure everything will balance itself out.
Yeah, though right now it just sounds like companies are willing to move their factories from country to country as many times as it takes to avoid moving to the US. They seem to be banking on being able to outlast the Trump presidency.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2191966)
Posted by Nemesis Destron on June 27th, 2025 @ 6:58pm CDT
Posted by Nemesis Destron on June 27th, 2025 @ 6:58pm CDT
I was looking at the art for this thread and credit to the person or persons for the depiction of Trump, I think (please be listening 
) the Powers should consider a type of Fans project/release like for Windblade and the creation of a figure based on the image for this thread and be a Terrorcon 
I feel.
Well this can only be a win/win situation for fans given current events and to have a figure representing/resembling Trump and the tariffs that affect us fans....'nuff said!
) the Powers should consider a type of Fans project/release like for Windblade and the creation of a figure based on the image for this thread and be a Terrorcon I feel. Well this can only be a win/win situation for fans given current events and to have a figure representing/resembling Trump and the tariffs that affect us fans....'nuff said!
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2192074)
Posted by megatran on July 2nd, 2025 @ 11:23pm CDT
Posted by megatran on July 2nd, 2025 @ 11:23pm CDT
Vietnam goods to the US to be slapped with 20% tariff. Many of Hasbro Transformers toys nowadays come from Vietnam.
Apologies if providing news that is factual, apolitical & on topic breaks the rules here. Another Transformers site that I won't name locked the thread as soon as it popped up.
Apologies if providing news that is factual, apolitical & on topic breaks the rules here. Another Transformers site that I won't name locked the thread as soon as it popped up.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2192352)
Posted by megatran on July 17th, 2025 @ 11:16pm CDT
Posted by megatran on July 17th, 2025 @ 11:16pm CDT
I was watching the news and it talked about inflation rising in the US. Toys, of all things, got a mention.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2192476)
Posted by Emerje on July 23rd, 2025 @ 7:39am CDT
Posted by Emerje on July 23rd, 2025 @ 7:39am CDT
Some much needed good news just came in, though nothing is final and it's full of Trumps inability to give details when tweeting. It looks like Trump signed a deal where tariffs on Japanese imports will only be 15% (after threats of 25%) in exchange for Japan investing $550 billion (where? In what?) in the US and more US exports to Japan including automobiles and rice. Now don't get me wrong, it's 5% more than the 10% deal we had before, but since Trump is simple minded this sounds like he's sticking to his "blanket tariff" plan so things like car parts and steel imports will see a drop in tariffs. Hopefully details are good and we (or I) aren't getting excited over nothing.
Emerje
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193244)
Posted by Emerje on August 26th, 2025 @ 10:48am CDT
Posted by Emerje on August 26th, 2025 @ 10:48am CDT
If you're an American and you've got any pre-orders coming out of Japan at the end of August, maybe 40th Selection Lio Convoy which was delayed to this month, well, you're going to be waiting a little longer. As of August 27 Japan Post is suspending all shipments to the United States. That includes EMS, parcel, small packet and everything else in between. This is on top of DHL also suspending shipments from most (all?) exporters in Japan, leaving really no options to get stuff out of Japan short of freight. And just to add insult to injury this administration has also brought an end to de minimis exemptions, the rule that prevented duties on imports for personal use totaling less than $800 from all countries as of August 28. How that works out is not quite known, some say there's a $80 flat rate on all imports while others say it's 15% up to $80. This uncertainty is part of the reason why Japan Post is suspending deliveries in the first part.
Below is the statement from Japan Post as it appears in English on their website.
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. government issued an executive order titled “Termination of De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” regarding mail to the United States.
Under this executive order, starting August 29, 2025, mail containing goods imported for personal use (taxable mail) will no longer be eligible for duty-free treatment, and tariffs will be imposed. On August 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced new guidelines regarding the elimination of de minimis rules, which require that transport operators pay customs deposits to CBP and prepare customs declarations. The procedures that transport operators and postal operators in each country must follow to comply with these guidelines are not clear, however, making implementation difficult.
Therefore, starting August 27 (Wed.), in line with other national postal operators, we will temporarily suspend the acceptance of postal items (small packets, parcels, and EMS (goods)) to the United States that contain the following items:
As an alternative to the above suspension of acceptance, our international courier service, UGX (U-Global Express), can handle shipments in compliance with U.S. customs regulations:
UGX (U-Global Express)
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
The latest information on the status of international mail items to be sent to destination countries and regions can be found here.
This is going to put a big damper on Americans importing from Japan until things are sorted out. Let us know in the Seibertron Energon Pub forums if you're being affected by this.
Below is the statement from Japan Post as it appears in English on their website.
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. government issued an executive order titled “Termination of De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” regarding mail to the United States.
Under this executive order, starting August 29, 2025, mail containing goods imported for personal use (taxable mail) will no longer be eligible for duty-free treatment, and tariffs will be imposed. On August 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced new guidelines regarding the elimination of de minimis rules, which require that transport operators pay customs deposits to CBP and prepare customs declarations. The procedures that transport operators and postal operators in each country must follow to comply with these guidelines are not clear, however, making implementation difficult.
Therefore, starting August 27 (Wed.), in line with other national postal operators, we will temporarily suspend the acceptance of postal items (small packets, parcels, and EMS (goods)) to the United States that contain the following items:
- Individual gifts with a content value exceeding 100 US dollars
- Goods intended for sale for consumption
As an alternative to the above suspension of acceptance, our international courier service, UGX (U-Global Express), can handle shipments in compliance with U.S. customs regulations:
UGX (U-Global Express)
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
The latest information on the status of international mail items to be sent to destination countries and regions can be found here.
This is going to put a big damper on Americans importing from Japan until things are sorted out. Let us know in the Seibertron Energon Pub forums if you're being affected by this.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193253)
Posted by megatran on August 26th, 2025 @ 11:24pm CDT
Posted by megatran on August 26th, 2025 @ 11:24pm CDT
Australia Post is also suspending shipments to the US. For parcels with a value of above US$100.
Who is responsible for this mess?
Who is responsible for this mess?
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193259)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on August 27th, 2025 @ 5:37am CDT
Posted by -Kanrabat- on August 27th, 2025 @ 5:37am CDT
Let's hope that the things sent from Canada won't be fuk'd.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193260)
Posted by ScottyP on August 27th, 2025 @ 8:16am CDT
Posted by ScottyP on August 27th, 2025 @ 8:16am CDT
I don't understand why HLJ doesn't just turn FedEx and DHL shipping back on. I just finished out an order on Japan Rabbit using DHL. Yeah, I'll have to pay duty on it, that is the unfortunate reality of the policies put in place by the idiocracy running the US government.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193267)
Posted by Emerje on August 27th, 2025 @ 11:23am CDT
From what I'm reading, and I may be completely wrong, the Trump administration expects the shipping companies to pay the tariffs up front and charge the receiver on arrival which they simply aren't set up to do at either end.
On August 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced new guidelines regarding the elimination of de minimis rules, which require that transport operators pay customs deposits to CBP and prepare customs declarations. The procedures that transport operators and postal operators in each country must follow to comply with these guidelines are not clear, however, making implementation difficult.
So in typical Trump fashion he's made an order and set a date without even an ounce of thought put into it so neither the shipping services nor the CBP have a clue what they're supposed to be doing, effectively putting the entire system in limbo. It's the exact same line of thought that demands American made products and food without actually building the factories and farms to do it first. He is not an intelligent man, he's reactionary, he doesn't think things through and why should he, he's a billionaire.
Emerje
Posted by Emerje on August 27th, 2025 @ 11:23am CDT
ScottyP wrote:I don't understand why HLJ doesn't just turn FedEx and DHL shipping back on. I just finished out an order on Japan Rabbit using DHL. Yeah, I'll have to pay duty on it, that is the unfortunate reality of the policies put in place by the idiocracy running the US government.
From what I'm reading, and I may be completely wrong, the Trump administration expects the shipping companies to pay the tariffs up front and charge the receiver on arrival which they simply aren't set up to do at either end.
On August 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced new guidelines regarding the elimination of de minimis rules, which require that transport operators pay customs deposits to CBP and prepare customs declarations. The procedures that transport operators and postal operators in each country must follow to comply with these guidelines are not clear, however, making implementation difficult.
So in typical Trump fashion he's made an order and set a date without even an ounce of thought put into it so neither the shipping services nor the CBP have a clue what they're supposed to be doing, effectively putting the entire system in limbo. It's the exact same line of thought that demands American made products and food without actually building the factories and farms to do it first. He is not an intelligent man, he's reactionary, he doesn't think things through and why should he, he's a billionaire.
Emerje
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193273)
Posted by ScottyP on August 27th, 2025 @ 1:46pm CDT
Posted by ScottyP on August 27th, 2025 @ 1:46pm CDT
DHL at least is equipped to charge the recipient for duty fees. They pay customs up front, then send you an email with an invoice, then you pay DHL the duty amount and a processing fee. I imagine FedEx is similarly capable. It's not like this is a brand new system for them, other countries have had import taxes and similar charges for a long time and DHL/FedEx are international couriers.
It is a big paradigm shift for USPS and the lack of clarity and preparedness is not at all a surprise, so other postal systems simply saying "nah, we're good" is understandable. When international trade policy is determined based on one idiot's whimsy, this kind of chaos is inevitable.
It is a big paradigm shift for USPS and the lack of clarity and preparedness is not at all a surprise, so other postal systems simply saying "nah, we're good" is understandable. When international trade policy is determined based on one idiot's whimsy, this kind of chaos is inevitable.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193276)
Posted by Burn on August 27th, 2025 @ 2:35pm CDT
Posted by Burn on August 27th, 2025 @ 2:35pm CDT
Not just Japan. A number of countries have made this move until they can get their systems updated and make sense of the ever changing policies.
Re: Mattel CEO Confirms Toy Manufacturing Would Not Come to the US Even if Tariffs Remain (2193283)
Posted by megatran on August 27th, 2025 @ 11:00pm CDT
That's the problem. It's a moving target. Business & stock exchange hate uncertainty.
Posted by megatran on August 27th, 2025 @ 11:00pm CDT
Burn wrote:Not just Japan. A number of countries have made this move until they can get their systems updated and make sense of the ever changing policies.
That's the problem. It's a moving target. Business & stock exchange hate uncertainty.
[ Click to attempt signal recovery... ]
