By Ricardo Lezama 
New working families are facing the wrath of Donald Trump’s push to make tariffs an obligatory part of imports. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports have significantly impacted American families, with the cost of essential baby products surging by as much as 35%. Parents are now paying substantially more for critical items including strollers, car seats, and high chairs, as the majority of these products are manufactured in China and subject to the trade restrictions.
Strollers, Infant Furniture
Given Trump’s class position (landed gentry, billionaire), the cost of tariffs is essentially non-existent. The Trump Tax involves transactions happening at the average budget consumer’s level. In what is essentially a war on the average consumer for their compliance to only US linked businesses, the Trump administration is imposing a tax or ‘tariff’ collected at ports of entry on behalf of the US government from importing firms. That’s bad news for anyone who likes their infant children riding on a car seat.
For example, the UPPAbaby Vista stroller, one of the most popular strollers in the country, jumped from $899 to $1,200 in early May Trump tariffs hit baby gear: Prices of infant products soar +2, representing a 33% increase or about $300 more Baby gear prices set to skyrocket as tariffs take effect; Secondhand markets offer affordable alternatives. UPPAbaby’s compatible car seat increased $150 (from $349.99 to $499.99)
Infant furniture sold in the U.S. now faces average tariffs of about 129 percent, according to an analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence Trump’s tariffs hit baby industry hard, threatening parents with price hikes, shortages – The Washington Post. Initially tariffs were at 54% but escalated to 145% Baby gear prices set to skyrocket as tariffs take effect; Secondhand markets offer affordable alternatives, though they have since been reduced to 30%.
The price increases affect some of the most necessary purchases for new and expecting parents, creating additional financial strain during an already expensive time. Baby gear represents a significant household expense, and with items like car seats being legally required for safe transportation of infants, families have little choice but to absorb the higher costs.
The tariff impact highlights how trade policy directly affects American consumers, particularly in categories where domestic manufacturing alternatives are virtually non-existent. China dominates the global baby product manufacturing sector, making it difficult for retailers and consumers to avoid the price increases by switching to products made elsewhere.