CEO’s ‘End of Days’ warning as a warning of Trump’s tariff shock on China, nervous among American importers

US importers are difficult to face a new tariff wave on Chinese goods declared by US President Donald Trump, with a warning of some results.
Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Illinois -based educational toy company Learning Resources, called the situation “The End of Day”, as Trump suddenly increased the tariff on Chinese imports by 145 percent, already more than 54 percent. The move has blinded business owners with the aim of punishing China for alleged unfair trade practices.
“When he announced a 20 percent tariff, I planned to escape from 40 percent, and I felt that I was getting clever,” Woldenberg said. “I never imagined 145 percent.”
Effect on learning resources-Business run by a third-generation family that has created toys in China for decades can be-perishable. He said Woldenberg estimates that the company’s tariff bill would increase from $ 2.3 million in 2024 to more than $ 100 million in 2025. “I wish I had $ 100 million,” he said. “Honest to God, it sounds like the end of the day.”
Many American companies have long depend on Chinese manufacturing for affordable consumer products. China still supplies most major items, including toys, baby carries, coloring books and holiday decorations. But Trump’s tariffs are threatening to increase those supply chains overnight.
Sudden growth has also forced businesses such as MGA Entertainment – Popular Bratz and LOL doll manufacturers to increase prices and consider production. Founder Isaac Larian said that his company is a source of 65 percent of China’s products and warned that prices may be almost triple for some toys.
Even companies producing goods in the US are not immune. Parts for American -made toys still come from China, and tariffs are increasing costs throughout the board.
Business leaders say this is not only the size of tariffs, but unpredictable with which they are rolling out, hurting them the most. “No business can run on uncertainty,” Larian said.
The Age Desk CEO Mark Rosenberg has stopped the production of a new ergonomic chair planned for China and is now considering selling in Europe instead, where he will not face Trump’s tariff. He said, “He did not have skilled labor here, and he did not want to do so,” he said, referring to American manufacturers.
Woldenberg, whose company employs 90 percent of its employees in the US, said it is not just possible to transfer manufacturing statuside. “No passive construction hub is ready for us,” he said.
Industry experts warn that the wave effect can be severe, with potential pruning, deficiency and significant inflation. The National Retail Federation has described the scale of tariffs as “apocalypse”.
Yale estimates that tariffs may mark more than 1 percent of US economic growth by 2025, while consumer spirit surveys suggest that Americans are already breaking for high prices.
“This can mark the end of an era of cheap consumer goods in the US,” said the supply chain expert Joe Jurken. “We became accustomed to cheap Chinese goods – now the hangover is here.”