Munchkin, a leading manufacturer of baby products, is warning that new tariffs on imports from China are having devastating effects on its business and the industry as a whole. The company’s CEO, Steve Dunn, recently wrote an open letter to President Trump and members of Congress about the harm tariffs are causing.
Due to increased tariffs of 145 percent, Munchkin has been forced to halt orders and cut jobs, leaving essential baby products unavailable to parents nationwide. Dunn attributes this to a lack of necessary tooling and manufacturing expertise, automation, and skilled labor needed to bring production to the US.
The impact on the juvenile industry is significant, with many small businesses like Munchkin stopping all orders from China due to unaffordable prices. This will result in a shortage of products such as strollers and baby gates. Dunn warns that if action is not taken soon, the damage will be irreversible, affecting not only his company but countless businesses, workers, and families across America.
Munchkin operates in 12 different categories of products, including breast pumps and bottles, which are crucial for parents. The company’s inventory will run out within 60 to 90 days if it doesn’t place new orders immediately. Dunn notes that relocating manufacturing to the US would require significant investment and government support, including creating manufacturing zones.
While some may argue that tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the US, Dunn counters that the juvenile industry lacks the necessary infrastructure and resources to support this shift. He supports onshoring strategic industries like semiconductors and aerospace but emphasizes that small businesses like Munchkin cannot afford the high costs associated with relocation.
Munchkin is part of a larger movement among small and medium-sized business owners, who are petitioning the administration for an exemption or carve-out from tariffs due to the industry’s critical importance in supporting parents.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/17/nx-s1-5366723/tariffs-impact-baby-products