[Source/Observer Network Xiong Chaoyi] According to reports by Reuters and USA Today on May 7, the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on the same day. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated in response to questions from Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley that the Trump administration is considering exempting child car seats, strollers, cribs, and other essential baby travel products from Chinese goods tariffs of up to 145%. "Under consideration," Bessent responded after being pressed repeatedly by Pressley and asked to clearly state whether he supports the tariff exemption policy aimed at helping mothers with young children and their families. Pressley said that more than 3.5 million babies are born each year, almost all strollers are made in China, current commodity costs are rising, and ordinary families are suffering.

Image source: American Treasury Secretary Bessent questioned. US media video screenshot

Reuters reported that as early as 2018, when Trump launched the trade war against China during his first term, some Chinese-made goods were excluded from the 25% tariff list, including bicycle helmets, car seats, and children's safety furniture like playpens. However, components for car seats, cribs, bassinets, diaper bags, and wooden safety barriers were not granted tariff exemptions.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which advocates and lobbies for the prenatal to pre-school industry in the United States, sent a letter to Trump in February this year requesting the exemption of infant product tariffs. The association stated that over 70% of baby products purchased by Americans are produced by Chinese companies, warning that Trump's tariffs would increase the burden on young families.

Chris Peterson, CEO of Newell Brands, an American consumer goods manufacturer, said last week in a financial report conference call that approximately 97% of strollers and 87% of baby car seats in the U.S. are from China. Newell Brands produces strollers, car seats, and other children's products, and due to tariffs, the company has increased the prices of imported baby products by about 20%.

Peterson stated that the company has not yet factored in Trump's latest high tariffs on Chinese goods into its pricing and has temporarily stopped shipping from China, currently digesting existing inventory products over these months.

"At some point, we will run out of inventory, retailers will start running out of stock, and we will re-order from China. When this happens, given that the entire industry (supply chain) comes from China, it is expected that both our company and peers in the industry will offset tariff costs by further price increases," he said.

A visualization report by The New York Times on April 27 shows the degree of dependence of an average American family on Chinese imports. The percentage for strollers is as high as 97%. The New York Times

Bloomberg reported locally in the U.S. on April 30 that after Trump insisted on imposing high tariffs on Chinese imports, the Toy Association, a trade organization, surveyed over 400 U.S. companies, nearly half of which said tariffs would bankrupt them within months. The organization stated that approximately 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are made in China, and toy manufacturers unable to bear higher costs either pass the cost onto consumers by raising prices or stop production, which could jeopardize critical holiday shopping seasons.

On the same day, Trump, at a cabinet meeting at the White House, admitted after answering questions that his tariff policies and the trade war against China might soon result in some shelves in stores being emptier than usual, especially in toy stores. "Some people say 'shelves will be empty,' maybe kids can only have two dolls instead of 30? Maybe these two dolls might be a few dollars more expensive than usual," he said.

"President Trump told American children: Prepare to make sacrifices for your country." The New York Times used such a "double-edged" tone to satirize how American children were told that they could only settle for fewer toys this year for the sake of a greater good, which sounded "unpleasant and honest," coming from Trump, a billionaire, cryptocurrency promoter, golf club operator, and owner of buildings and estates in New York and Palm Beach, surrounded by cabinet aides who were also billionaires.

Toy Association executives said that under Trump's tariff policies, dolls from brands like "I'm a Girly" may face supply shortages. The New York Times

In response to Trump's remarks about "American children possibly having fewer toys," former Vice President Pence, who has fallen out with Trump, said in an interview with CNN on May 5 that the ability for children to afford toys is also part of the "American Dream." Combining his experience of raising children and sending them to school with his salary, he emphasized the critical importance of affordable consumer goods to the lives of the American people.

Recently, Trump has frequently spoken about Sino-U.S. trade negotiations, unilaterally hyping up the so-called "negotiation" topic to create momentum for the Sino-U.S. trade negotiations. At its core, this is merely an attempt to cover up his increasingly passive unfavorable situation in the trade war.

On May 7, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce answered questions from journalists regarding high-level Sino-U.S. economic and trade talks. The spokesperson stated that since taking office, the new U.S. administration has taken a series of non-compliant and unreasonable unilateral tariff measures, seriously impacting Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations, severely disrupting the international trade order, and posing a serious challenge to global economic recovery and growth. In order to defend its legitimate rights and interests, China has taken resolute and strong countermeasures. Recently, senior U.S. officials have continuously hinted at adjusting tariff measures and have actively conveyed information through various channels, hoping to talk with China on issues such as tariffs. China has carefully evaluated the information conveyed by the U.S. side. Based on full consideration of global expectations, China's interests, calls from U.S. industries and consumers, China has decided to agree to engage in consultations with the U.S. side.

The spokesperson emphasized that China's position remains consistent. Whether fighting or negotiating, China's determination to safeguard its own development interests will not change, nor will its stance and goals to defend fairness and justice in the international community or maintain the international trade order. Fighting, we will see it through; negotiating, the door is open. Any dialogue or negotiation must be conducted under the premise of mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit.

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501869359833334281/

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