Popular baby products company Munchkin hard-hit by tariff hike on steel, aluminum
Los Angeles — The impact of the White House’s steel and aluminum tariffs is being felt at the headquarters of Munchkin, a leading baby brand known for its innovative products. Steven Dunn, the CEO and founder of Munchkin, expressed concern over the tariffs affecting their baby products, such as the popular soft bite baby spoon.
President Trump’s recent announcement of doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% has created challenges for Munchkin. Dunn emphasized the need for strategic tariff policies to avoid unintended consequences like significant price hikes on essential baby items.
With the steel tariffs adding an additional 50% cost and existing 30% tariffs on Chinese imports, the production of Munchkin’s products has become 80% more expensive. This increase in manufacturing costs has not only impacted the company’s profits but also led to lay-offs for the first time in 35 years.
Aside from the soft bite baby spoon, tariffs are also affecting other popular Munchkin products like strollers and thermometers. The company is facing the dilemma of either absorbing the increased costs or passing them on to consumers, which could make the products unaffordable.
Despite the challenges posed by tariffs, manufacturing Munchkin products in the U.S. is not a feasible option due to the lack of necessary infrastructure and resources. The uncertainty surrounding the White House’s shifting tariff policies has further added to Munchkin’s concerns, with Dunn likening the situation to “being blindfolded and throwing darts at a rotating target.”
