The Quiet Deal: Trump’s Tariffs Target Toys, But Spare Luxury Cars

President Donald Trump is once again shaking up global trade — this time by threatening to slap a 100% tariff on Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels while cutting a luxury-friendly deal with Britain to lower tariffs on high-end cars like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Jaguar 🚗💎.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump called the US-UK trade agreement framework a big win. Under the deal, tariffs on the first 100,000 British vehicles imported each year will drop from 25% to 10%, making it cheaper to bring luxury cars into the U.S. Meanwhile, Trump made it clear that he has no plans to pressure super-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce to build factories on American soil.

“We took it from 25 to 10 on Rolls-Royce because Rolls-Royce is not gonna be built here,” Trump said. “It’s a very special car, a very limited number… handmade stuff.”

Britain exported about 90,000 cars to the U.S. last year, accounting for just 1% of America’s imported cars, but these cars are anything but ordinary. According to S&P Global Mobility, the average price of a British import was over $135,000.

While ultra-wealthy car buyers may be celebrating, American families could soon face sticker shock in the toy aisle.

🎀 Trump Targets Barbie and Hot Wheels

During the same announcement, Trump took aim at Mattel, the iconic toy maker behind Barbie and Hot Wheels. Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz recently warned that producing toys in the U.S. would make them too expensive to sell at family-friendly prices. Trump’s response?

Trump didn’t stop there, adding, “I wouldn’t wanna have him as an executive too long.”

A tariff of that size would almost certainly send toy prices soaring 🎄🛍️ — just as retailers gear up for the crucial holiday shopping season. Mattel, which counts the U.S. as its largest market, would face massive pressure, and American parents could be left scrambling for affordable gifts.

⚙️ Critics Sound the Alarm

Economists and even some of Trump’s own supporters are sounding the alarm on the president’s tariff policies.

Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, quipped on X (formerly Twitter):

Wolfers pointed out that no other consumer goods got carveouts in the US-UK deal — raising questions about whether Trump’s trade agenda truly prioritizes middle-class Americans.

Even hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, a major Trump donor in the 2024 election, warned that tariffs are a “painfully regressive tax” that will hit the wallets of working Americans. Speaking to Politico, Griffin added, “Tariffs open the door to crony capitalism, with the government picking winners and losers.”

🚘 Luxury Cars In, Affordable Goods Out

It’s worth noting that the British brands benefiting from this deal — Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mini, Land Rover — cater to a niche, ultra-wealthy audience. Meanwhile, tariffs on more affordable, everyday imports from other countries remain in place.

The White House argues that ultra-luxury cars are unlikely to be built in the U.S. due to their specialized craftsmanship, so easing tariffs won’t hurt American jobs. But critics say the administration is missing the bigger picture: tariffs on everyday goods — like toys, electronics, and clothes — hurt average families far more.

🎁 What It Means for You

As the summer shopping season approaches, retailers are already bracing for potential price hikes and supply chain disruptions. If Trump moves forward with his threatened toy tariffs, it could have a chilling effect on holiday sales, with fewer affordable options on store shelves come December.

At the same time, luxury car buyers will enjoy a break on their imported dream machines.

In short, Trump’s trade moves reflect a stark split: a helping hand for the wealthy, and a tougher road for middle-class families. As Ken Griffin put it, the speed at which these policies are rolling out is “terrifying to watch.”

✅ Quick Takeaways:

• Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mini get U.S. tariff cuts

• Trump threatens 100% tariff on Barbie and Hot Wheels

• Experts warn of rising prices for U.S. families

• Billionaire Trump backer Ken Griffin calls tariffs a “regressive tax”