Trump’s “Baby Tax” Hikes Prices on Essentials for Parents, Says Groundwork’s Owens

Trump’s “Baby Tax” Hikes Prices on Essentials for Parents, Says Groundwork’s Owens

From car seats to sippy cups, Trump’s tariffs are making it even more expensive to raise a child. With imports accounting for roughly 90% of durable baby and children’s products in the U.S., new parents are already paying hundreds of dollars more for essentials like strollers and car seats. In response, President Trump recently referred to the rising costs of items like strollers as “peanuts.”

Groundwork Collaborative Executive Director Lindsay Owens released the following statement condemning Trump’s baby tax:

“President Trump’s economic policies are an affront to young families. His tariff policies are making it harder and more expensive to prepare for a new baby or raise kids, and his solution is to tell parents to buy fewer toys for their children. While the president works overtime to give his billionaire donors a massive tax giveaway, he’s placing a baby tax on every parent across the country.”

BACKGROUND ON TRUMP’S BABY TAX

• Car seats: UPPAbaby, a major manufacturer of car seats and strollers, announced increased prices across most of its products beginning May 5. Nuna has increased prices by $50, and Evenflo has increased prices by 10-40%.
  • This represents a major challenge for parents, as car seats – which can run over $400 – are required by law in all 50 states and should be bought new due to safety concerns.
  • New parents spend, on average, $1,000 on baby safety gear.
• Strollers: To put it in Trump’s words, prices are rising for “the thing that you carry the babies around in.” UPPAbaby’s popular Vista stroller just increased from $900 to $1,200. Or, for a cheaper option, Bombi’s flagship stroller now costs $225 instead of $199.
  • Few strollers are made in the U.S. Most are made in China, while others come from Italy, Taiwan, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
• Cribs: Since the average parent spends approximately $2,000 on a new nursery, it is terrible news that three-quarters of all baby furniture is made in China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission does not recommend buying used cribs, as unsafe sleep environments are the main cause of injuries and deaths with nursery products.
  • Get ready for some sleepless nights: the popular smart bassinet SNOO is manufactured in China and might soon cost more than its current $1,695 price tag.
• High Chairs & Sippy Cups: The CEO of popular baby accessory brand Munchkin, Steve Dunn, said the company will increase prices on about 90% of products, likely by at least 20%. Their cheapest high chair is currently $170.
• Clothes: Carter’s has already raised prices on many items. Approximately 74% of its products are sourced from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India, which now face the 10% universal tariff rate.
• Toys: About 80% of all toys imported to the U.S. come from China, according to the Toy Association. Mattel CFO Anthony DiSilvestro has warned of possible price hikes as 40% of Mattel toys come from China.