The Impact of Trump’s 100% Tariff on the U.S. Promotional Products Industry
The Impact of Trump’s 100% Tariff on the U.S. Promotional Products Industry The announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese imports by former President Donald Trump has sent ripples through global markets — and the U.S. promotional products industry is feeling the tremors. As many custom promotional products are sourced from China, this new policy could reshape pricing, sourcing strategies, and marketing approaches across the entire sector. Rising Costs and Price Pressures The majority of promotional items sold in the U.S. — including branded pens, mugs, tote bags, and tech accessories — are currently manufactured in China. With tariffs doubling import costs, many distributors are facing a tough decision: absorb the losses or pass them on to clients. For small and mid-sized distributors, maintaining profitability will be challenging. Businesses that depend heavily on corporate gifts and branded merchandise for ma...