President Trump has imposed a tariff on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, the United States’ three largest trading partners. The reasoning given is the three country’s role in undocumented immigration and drug smuggling.

American importers will pay a 25% tax on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% levy on products from China. Canada and Mexico generally have not faced tariffs under a previous trade deal signed by Trump during his first term. Many Chinese goods currently incur a 25% tariff. This would be in addition to that. The exception is energy products from Canada which will be a 10% charge.

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on goods that are imported or exported. The tariff is paid by the companies that import the goods to the country and the tariff then goes to the government’s treasury. That increased cost by the importer is then passed down to the consumer in increased prices. Even goods not impacted by tariffs could see increased prices.

The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in 2023 reported that 89% of convicted fentanyl traffickers in in 2022 were U.S. citizens. When it comes to smuggling, 99% of the smugglers are U.S. citizens. In 2023 93% of seizures occurred at legal crossing points, no illegal immigration routes. Less than 0.009% of people arrested by the Border Patrol during illegal crossing possessed any fentanyl.

The decision will have a negative impact on the comic and game industry as each country is where many are manufactured and printed or require supplies (like paper) from. Trump has admitted that the tariffs will increase the cost of goods.

It is estimated that over 80% of comics are printed in China with 80-90% of board games estimated to be manufactured there.

The decision is another blow to the comic industry that will cause publishers to make hard decisions about future publications. Working many months ahead, many will be hit for product already being published and will have to rethink future endeavors. The options for printing in the United States are limited and can not keep up with the demand or have the same capabilities as foreign publishers. There are some European publishing facilities. Add on the cashflow issues stemming from Diamond Comic Distributor’s Chapter 11 declaration, 2025 will likely see a massive contraction in the comic industry impacting publishers and shops forcing many to close due to the current negative economic conditions.