The toy company Mattel has announced that it will be forced to increase the prices of its products in USA and to diversify your supply chain to reduce your dependence on China. This strategy arises in response to the tariff policies promoted by former president Donald Trump. The news was confirmed by the company’s executive director, Ynon Kreiz, in an interview with CNBC. The measures arrive shortly after Trump reduces importance to a possible recession with a comment that has generated controversy: “Perhaps the children will have two dolls instead of thirty, and perhaps the two dolls will cost a couple more dollars more than normal.”
Mattel plans an internal restructuring
The economic situation has already begun to affect the finances of Mattel. The company reported that its losses tripled in the first quarter of the year, reaching 40 million dollars. Following this economic uncertainty, the company that manufactures the Barbie doll has retired its financial forecasts for the year, citing an unstable macroeconomic environment and a constantly changing tariff policy.
Martín Mena
In an official statement, Mattel He clarified that tariffs have not yet directly impacted their figures, but the company is already taking preventive actions. Among them, the prices adjustment in the US market, although it ensures that about 50 % of its products will continue to cost 20 dollars the least.
-Mattel seeks to reduce China dependence
Another key measure announced by the company is the optimization of its supply network. Mattel It plans to significantly reduce its dependence on imports from China, a country on which the US maintains tariffs up to 145 %.
The goal is that only 15 % of their products come from China by 2026.
Despite these modifications, Crease He emphasized that it is not contemplated to transfer all production to US territory.
“The design, development, product engineering and brand management are carried out in the United States. Manufacturing in other countries allows us to offer quality products at affordable prices,” the executive explained.
