The Toy Association has issued a letter to ask Association members (and others) to help combat tariffs in support of the industry. It is reprinted in its entirety below.
Historically, the Association has been highly effective in generating action, attention, and (we hope) to convince the government that play is a critical component of raising healthy children and by extension toys are an essential industry.
Please read and take action!
Dear Toy Association members:
Thank you to the more than 300 member company representatives who joined us yesterday for our Global Tariff Update briefing. Whether you were able to attend or not, your voice matters and now is the time to act. Every member plays a critical role in advocating with us for 0% tariffs on toys.
If you missed the session or would like to share the information with colleagues, a full recording of the briefing is available here. Some highlights, including key deliverables, include:
- Grassroots Letter Template to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick: Personalize this ready-to-send letter directly to government officials. We’ve made it easy — just add your name and company details and email it over.
- Grassroots Letter Template to Your Local Representative
- Social Media Template: Copy and paste this ready-made post to share our message with your network from your personal and company accounts.
Led by the U.S. Toy Association, the vast majority of global toy associations have come together to advocate for 0% reciprocal tariffs around the world, to ensure that safe, affordable, and high-quality toys remain accessible to all children. We are proud to be a part of this critical and unique global movement urging the Administration and governments around the world to #KeepToysTariffFree. Please share this message broadly — like and repost to help spread the word!
View the global statement and signatories here: https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2025_News/toy-association-leads-global-toy-industry-in-advocating-for-tariff-free-toys.aspx
- Join Weekly Tariff Task Force Calls: Reach out to Bernadette Boyle, senior director of member services at The Toy Association, if you would like to join our weekly tariff calls taking place Fridays at 1 p.m. (Eastern).
- Breaking Tariff News: Effective today, April 9, President Trump has raised the tariff on goods imported from China to 125%. And in a surprise move, this afternoon, the president announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs placed on other countries that did not retaliate against the U.S. For Canada and Mexico, a tariff pause remains in effect for USMCA-compliant products. This does not alter our Toy Association strategy to aggressively fight for zero tariffs.
- What We’re Doing as Your Association
- Save the Date: The Association is organizing a DC Fly-In that will take place June 10 and 11, coinciding with International Day of Play. Additional details are forthcoming.
- Global Movement to #KeepToysTariffFree: The Toy Association has led the vast majority of global toy associations to advocate for 0% reciprocal tariffs around the world.
- TA Engagement on Tariffs: The Toy Association continues to raise the profile of the toy industry, the value and importance of play, and the need for an exclusion from tariffs with the Administration, key policymakers, and stakeholders in meetings, including this month in DC when Association leadership will be on Capitol Hill.
- Continuous Media Outreach: The Toy Association and its members are spreading awareness about the impact of tariffs on the industry to the global press, including recent interviews with The New York Times, CNN, CNBC, the Today Show, and several other major media outlets.
- Save the Date: The Association is organizing a DC Fly-In that will take place June 10 and 11, coinciding with International Day of Play. Additional details are forthcoming.
The Toy Association will continue working on the industry’s behalf to advocate for a tariff exemption for toys. We are monitoring the situation closely and will keep you updated on any new developments.
Thank you,
Kathrin Belliveau
Chief Policy Officer
The Toy Association
