Big Take Doing the Math on Toy Tariffs
8 snips
Dec 26, 2025 
Rick Woldenberg, a fourth-generation toymaker and CEO of Learning Resources, dives into the complexities of U.S. tariffs impacting the toy industry. He discusses the struggles faced by manufacturers as tariffs escalate prices for consumers and hinder expansion plans. Woldenberg also shares insights on how tariffs are paid by importers, not foreign factories, and details his company's legal battle against unconstitutional taxation. The conversation highlights the human impact of these policies, revealing how families adapt to rising toy costs.
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Dad 3D‑Prints Toys To Beat Price Hikes
- Dylan Bouchard 3D-printed Number Blocks after Learning Resources raised prices, saving money and satisfying his child's needs.
- He spent under 50 cents in plastic per figure while store sets cost $20–$30, exposing consumer pushback to price hikes.
Tariffs Hit U.S. Importers' Cash Flow
- Rick Woldenberg says tariffs are paid by importers, not foreign factories, so U.S. companies write the checks.
- Learning Resources paid about $2M in 2024 and roughly $14M this year, forcing costly cash outflows and borrowing.
Assess Reshoring Feasibility Before Betting On It
- Rick says rebuilding toy manufacturing in the U.S. is infeasible because suppliers and labor capacity are gone.
- He implies companies should evaluate realistic reshoring costs before betting on tariff-driven onshoring.