Consumer alert: Mattel, home of Barbie and Hot Wheels, is set to raise toy prices in the U.S. this fall in reaction to the latest wave of U.S. tariffs. The toymaker said the move will help offset higher import duties applied to goods from the Chinese mainland.
The new fees—part of a broader trade strategy—have pushed Mattel to rethink its global supply chain. While tariffs from the U.S. government are designed to encourage domestic production, they have also driven up costs for industries reliant on overseas factories.
Mattel’s leadership revealed plans to diversify manufacturing beyond the Chinese mainland, eyeing partners in Vietnam, India and Mexico. By shifting a slice of production to these regions, the company aims to soften the blow of tariffs and build a more resilient logistics network.
“We’re committed to delivering value for families and investors,” said a company spokesperson. “These adjustments allow us to manage rising costs without compromising on creativity or quality.”
Experts say Mattel’s strategy mirrors a growing number of global brands retooling their production lines. As geopolitical tensions reshape trade flows, agility and supply chain diversification have become crucial for businesses large and small.
For shoppers, the result may be a modest uptick in price tags at toy aisles, but long term, the shift could spark innovation in new production hubs and stabilize supply chains in an unpredictable world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
