It’s not just Mattel! Hasbro has now announced that the price of its toys may increase this year due to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. If you’re a fan of their products, here’s when the company might implement this measure.
When will Hasbro toy prices increase?
While it’s not yet an official decision, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks indicated that the brand’s toy prices could rise between August and October 2025.
Why will Hasbro toy prices increase?
Current U.S. tariffs on China stand at 30%. In addition, President Trump plans to impose a 20% tariff on imports from Vietnam. According to Cocks, this would directly impact Hasbro’s toy production, as both countries are major international suppliers for the brand.
ALSO READ War against McDonald’s? Popeyes is giving away FREE chicken wraps! Here’s how you can get yours
To minimize the impact of these tariffs, the company has started shifting production to countries like the United States, Vietnam, Turkey, and India, aiming to reduce reliance on China and lower costs. Currently, Hasbro manufactures around 50% of its toys in the United States.
History of Hasbro
In 1923, brothers Henry, Hilal, and Herman Hassenfeld founded Hassenfeld Brothers, a company initially focused on selling textile remnants. During the 1920s and 1930s, the company diversified into school supplies and pencil boxes, managing to grow despite the Great Depression and employing over 200 workers by the 1930s.
In 1940, the company took a significant turn by entering the toy industry, releasing its first doctor and nurse play kits. This new direction would prove crucial for its future. The real turning point came in 1952 when the company acquired the rights to Mr. Potato Head, making it the first toy ever advertised on television—an important milestone in children’s marketing.
In 1964, Hasbro introduced G.I. Joe, a figure that defined an entirely new category: the action figure. A few years later, in 1968, the company officially shortened its name to Hasbro for easier brand recognition.
Expansion continued in the following years. In 1984, Hasbro acquired Milton Bradley, adding popular board games like Monopoly to its catalog. A year earlier, in 1983, it had launched Transformers, a toy line that became a global phenomenon and still boasts a massive fan base today.
In 2019, the company took another strategic step by acquiring Entertainment One (eOne), strengthening its presence in film and television and cementing its status as one of the world’s leading entertainment companies.
ALSO READ National French Fry Day 2025: Where will the food deals be?
What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods. These tariffs benefit locally made products by giving them a competitive price advantage over similar imported goods. They also serve as a source of revenue for governments.
Why did Trump impose tariffs?
President Donald Trump has stated that tariffs are a key part of his economic strategy, aiming to promote manufacturing in the United States, protect jobs, increase tax revenue, and stimulate economic growth.
Trump seeks to revitalize and rebuild the U.S. manufacturing industry, which has lost many jobs over the past 40 years, largely due to the offshoring of labor to lower-wage countries like Mexico or China. Additionally, the president believes that the U.S. faces a significant trade deficit and that other countries are taking advantage by selling their products to American consumers.
