'Two dolls instead of 30': Trump acknowledges prices will force consumers to cut back

WASHINGTON – He wasn’t wearing a green suit and hat, but President Donald Trump sounded a Grinch-like warning, suggesting American children may have to settle for fewer toys at Christmas because of his tariffs on products from China.

Trump, who has argued that China will bear the brunt of his tariffs, acknowledged during a Cabinet meeting on April 30 that the duties may mean fewer – and more expensive – products available for American families.

“You know, somebody said, ‘Oh, the shelves are going to be open,’” he said. “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

Trump’s remarks came as retailers have raised concerns that his tariffs could raise the prices on products like new clothes, bikes and toys. Nearly 80 percent of the toys sold in the United States are made by factories in China.

Trump insisted that China already is feeling “tremendous difficulties” because its factories aren’t doing enough business. But, he said, Americans don’t need many of the products the Chinese make.

“We have been ripped off by every country in the world,” he said, “but China, I would say, is the leading one.”

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