Toy Trouble: Barbie’s Price Jumps Amid Trade War Turmoil

Barbie may be all smiles, but her price tag is telling a different story. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, American shoppers are starting to see rising costs on a wide variety of everyday items — including beloved dolls and other household staples.
The Telsey Advisory Group issued a report revealing price hikes on numerous consumer goods after Trump introduced a sweeping set of tariffs on April 2. The report analyzed various categories, from children's clothing and home appliances to power tools and luxury handbags, noting upward trends in prices.
The most striking example was a Barbie doll exclusive to Target, which jumped from $10.49 to $14.99 — a nearly 43% increase within just two weeks. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it was one of several notable increases recorded across various retail sectors within a short timeframe.
Among other affected products was a Whirlpool washing machine sold at Lowe’s, which increased in price by nearly $82, now retailing at $599. Meanwhile, Girl’s Cat and Jack leggings at Target went up by $1.50 to a total of $6. A Dewalt drill sold at Tractor Supply saw a $20 increase.
Telsey also included luxury goods in its analysis. A medium-sized Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote bag, for example, saw its price increase by $100, hitting $2,130. This reflects the fact that both mass-market and high-end items are being affected by the evolving trade dynamics.
While these examples show significant price changes, the Telsey report cautioned against assuming that tariffs are solely to blame. The team tracked only a handful of products per brand and didn’t consider special promotions or brand-specific pricing strategies, so the findings may not paint a full picture.
Interestingly, not all prices increased. Some items stayed the same, and a few even dropped. Nonetheless, the report emphasized that rising consumer costs are likely inevitable if the tariffs persist, as companies have limited ability to absorb long-term increases in manufacturing and import expenses.
According to the report, many brands and retailers are proactively responding by reworking supply chains and revisiting pricing models. Telsey noted that companies are trying to make smart, irreversible decisions that will protect them from further disruptions in global trade logistics and pricing instability.
Despite suggestions to move production back to the U.S., many companies remain reluctant. Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz explained that design and development are still based in America, but foreign manufacturing ensures affordable pricing. Trump, however, responded by threatening a 100% tariff if Mattel moved operations elsewhere — a move whose legality remains unclear.