Well this got heated, I think time will tell, but it has been implemented poorly, sweeping overall tariffs, on Islands with no people or places like the Falkland Islands because they have big trade imbalances, as they buy very little compared to what they export to the USA. Ofcourse there are, very few people live there and they can only buy so much. Even in the UK, where we import way more from the USA than we export to the US. Can understand China tariffs, but US [and European] companies moved to China for one reason – MONEY. Cheap labour and a willing workforce, now the US is hooked on cheap goods.
I think the US will lose out [but only the everyday folk], as Trump has managed to unify regions in the world and create new trading partners, the Japanese, Tiawanese and Chinese are talking new trade deals, Canada are with Europe, etc.
Most economists think these tariffs are bad, and the last time the US tried this, they say it turned the depression into a GREAT Depression. Trump is talking about tax cuts late in 2025, if they are, I think they will be, mainly aimed at the rich and using these tariffs to pay for them, as it is US consumers who will pay the tariffs. Is he the anti Robin Hood.
On TS, they are a luxury and you, as collectors, will just have to just make decisions, prices go up and you will just have to pay more or buyer fewer sets. It is the dealers, who have giving you great service to feed your hobby that will suffer, it is their way of making a living, paying their bills etc. So have a thought for them, only met Matt from Hobby Bunker and have dealt with Julie from Treefrog, but everything has always been excellent with them and [for me] as, if not more, important they come across as really good people. It will be a shame if they suffer through no fault of their own, but like thousands of small compaines in the US, they will take the brunt of the tariffs.
