Tariffs may ruin your next game night. That's right, there's no escaping trade war news even when you shut down your computer and silence your phone. I'm as sorry about that as you are.
The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) noted this week that President Donald Trump's tariffs on China — the production center for tabletop games sold in the U.S. — would be "dire news for the tabletop industry and the broader U.S. economy." And that was when the import tariff on China-made goods was 54 percent. As of midday on April 10, it was 145 percent.
That means prices are too high for U.S. game developers to absorb and far too high for most consumers.
"Some people ask, 'Why not manufacture in the U.S.?' I wish we could," noted Meredith Placko, CEO of Steve Jackson Games, in a blog post. "… The infrastructure to support full-scale board game production — specifically dice making, die cutting, custom plastic and wood components — doesn't meaningfully exist here yet.
"I've gotten quotes. I've talked to factories. Even when the willingness is there, the equipment, labor and timelines simply aren't," Placko added.
The gaming industry news site Polygon says it has spoken to more than 20 game makers and found they are pulling back on development and canceling manufacturing plans.
GAMA found the same lack of available U.S. manufacturing and urged its members to reach out to their congressional representatives. Even with a pause on wider tariffs, the levies on China-made goods will shake up a variety of end markets.
"Higher prices across the board will affect all Americans, not just those in the tabletop industry," it noted.
