Toy Exec Urges Trump to Zap Tariffs

Daniel Flaherty, CEO of the Coppell, Texas-based holiday toy company behind such novelty products as Big Mouth Billy Bass (an animatronic singing prop on a plaque) and Airblown Holiday Lights (inflatables), says new tariffs threaten to drive up prices and disrupt the upcoming holiday season. As a result, Flaherty is asking President Donald J. Trump “to intervene and protect American jobs, families and traditions.”

“If these [tariffs] remain in place, shelves will go empty, prices will spike and companies like mine — built on bringing magic to American homes — will struggle to survive,” said Flaherty, whose company’s products are sold at roughly 30 retailers, including Ace Hardware, Target and Walmart.

The U.S. holiday décor and toy industry represents a multi-billion-dollar market, much of which relies on overseas manufacturing to remain accessible and affordable for American families, the CEO says. (Indeed, according to the trade group the Toy Association, 80% of all toys sold in the U.S. are from China.) He concluded: “Please help us keep the holidays bright for millions of families. Let’s Make America Smile Again.”