Much like with Mexico, President Trump backed down and caved on his threats by pausing the tariffs was going to implement for 30 days. In the end, Trump has gotten things already promised and drove the stock market lower. On Saturday, President Trump said he would implement a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico as well as a 10% tariff on goods imported from China.

Canada retaliated with threats of legal action as well as 25% on targeted American goods. Numerous provinces took further action canceling contracts with businesses owned by Elon Musk and imposing greater costs to his businesses and products.

Today, both the tariffs on Mexico and Canada have been paused for 30 days after the leaders of the each nation talked to strike a deal. In the case of the Mexican negotiation, Trump not only received already agreed upon things but more commitments he will have to follow. For Canada, it was also exactly what was agreed upon previously. Just the 10% tariff on China remains.

The impact of the tariffs on the American comic and tabletop business would have been devastating as they mostly print in China, Mexico, and Canada.

Trump has claimed the tariffs are in response due to “illegal immigration” and the flow of fentanyl across the border.

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 threat of tariffs are impacting all industries including comics and tabletop games. Both rely heavily on printing in China, Mexico, and Canada and increased costs and delays would leave massive damage and likely force the closure of numerous publishers. The comic industry is currently also facing issues with its largest distributor who recently filed Chapter 11 and owes tens of millions to its creditors.