![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/paul-teysen-bukjsECgmeU-unsplash-1-1-1024x678.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA Triple threat for US partners<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAccording to The Toy Association\u2122, 96% of U.S. toy and game companies are small to medium-sized businesses<\/strong>, and 46% risk bankruptcy by Christmas<\/strong> under current tariff policies. The impact varies depending on the stage of production<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Games already produced or in Production<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u00ab This is the toughest scenario, says Herv\u00e9. Contracts are signed, goods are ready to ship from China\u2014and suddenly, the cost to import skyrockets. A game sold for \u20ac5 now costs \u20ac 12.50<\/strong> to enter the U.S. market. At \u20ac 20, it jumps to \u20ac 50<\/strong> \u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nOptions ? Limited :<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Leave stock in China<\/strong> and hope for policy reversal\u2014risking storage costs, humidity damage, and speculative pricing.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Redirect to other markets<\/strong>\u2014but shifting 30,000 units meant for the U.S. isn\u2019t solved by selling 5,000 elsewhere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pay the tariffs<\/strong>\u2014if cash flow allows. This forces partners to raise prices, spread costs across their catalog, or sell direct-to-consumer to preserve margins.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Games about to enter production<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u00ab We\u2019ve paused all unlaunched projects \u00bb, says Herv\u00e9. Blackrock Games chose solidarity over risk, with support from understanding publishers. But delays loom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European production quotes<\/strong> are underway\u2014less taxed, but more expensive and slower. More demand on European factories means longer lead times. What was short-term now becomes mid-term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Games still in concept phase<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/christopher-paul-high-fwRMK19zavc-unsplash-1-1-compressed-1-2-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is where long-term damage begins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab We haven\u2019t downsized, but we\u2019ve canceled future projects, says Nathan McNair of Pandasaurus. Several promising titles may never reach the U.S. market. Instead, Pandasaurus plans to publish directly in French and German \u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lack of warning left everyone scrambling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab No one could anticipate this, Herv\u00e9 explains. Stocks couldn\u2019t be rerouted, cash flow couldn\u2019t be adjusted. The industry is paralyzed \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creativity on hold, stability first<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn the short and medium term, innovation may take a back seat<\/strong>. Publishers will focus on proven titles with guaranteed returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00ab The situation is too unstable to predict, Herv\u00e9 admits. Our partners are passionate\u2014they\u2019ll find ways. But the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to produce high-quality games domestically \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nathan McNair agrees: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab If someone finds a way to manufacture quality games in the U.S. at reasonable prices, I\u2019d be thrilled. But right now, the printers are in China \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next ?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWithout a reversal in U.S. policy, the board game sector may mirror other affected industries :\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big players survive<\/strong>, while small innovators struggle<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStock shortages<\/strong>, price hikes<\/strong>, and less diversity<\/strong> could push consumers away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00ab Americans are being hit from all sides, says Herv\u00e9. Spending on board games may not be a priority \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, there\u2019s hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab With the holidays approaching, a toyless Christmas might pressure the government to reconsider \u00bb, Herv\u00e9 adds. Some exemptions have already been granted to Apple and Nike\u2014but whether games will follow remains uncertain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ripple Effects Beyond the U.S.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEurope won\u2019t be spared.\u00a0 Marketing budgets from U.S. partners fuel global campaigns<\/strong>\u2014if they dry up, visibility drops.\u00a0 Grouped production orders lose scale<\/strong>\u2014raising costs for English-language versions in Canada and the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn a fragile ecosystem, every decision counts. The board game industry now faces a pivotal moment\u2014where resilience, creativity, and global cooperation will determine what\u2019s left on the shelves next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12th may 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0 Three major crises in five years. From COVID-related port closures to the 2021 shipping cost explosion, and now a new challenge: 145% additional U.S. tariffs on most Chinese-made goods. The board game industry, deeply reliant on global logistics, is feeling the shockwaves.Continue reading \u00ab\u00a0U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2559"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2561,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions\/2561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
1. Games already produced or in Production<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u00ab This is the toughest scenario, says Herv\u00e9. Contracts are signed, goods are ready to ship from China\u2014and suddenly, the cost to import skyrockets. A game sold for \u20ac5 now costs \u20ac 12.50<\/strong> to enter the U.S. market. At \u20ac 20, it jumps to \u20ac 50<\/strong> \u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nOptions ? Limited :<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Leave stock in China<\/strong> and hope for policy reversal\u2014risking storage costs, humidity damage, and speculative pricing.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Redirect to other markets<\/strong>\u2014but shifting 30,000 units meant for the U.S. isn\u2019t solved by selling 5,000 elsewhere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pay the tariffs<\/strong>\u2014if cash flow allows. This forces partners to raise prices, spread costs across their catalog, or sell direct-to-consumer to preserve margins.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Games about to enter production<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u00ab We\u2019ve paused all unlaunched projects \u00bb, says Herv\u00e9. Blackrock Games chose solidarity over risk, with support from understanding publishers. But delays loom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European production quotes<\/strong> are underway\u2014less taxed, but more expensive and slower. More demand on European factories means longer lead times. What was short-term now becomes mid-term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Games still in concept phase<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is where long-term damage begins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab We haven\u2019t downsized, but we\u2019ve canceled future projects, says Nathan McNair of Pandasaurus. Several promising titles may never reach the U.S. market. Instead, Pandasaurus plans to publish directly in French and German \u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lack of warning left everyone scrambling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab No one could anticipate this, Herv\u00e9 explains. Stocks couldn\u2019t be rerouted, cash flow couldn\u2019t be adjusted. The industry is paralyzed \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creativity on hold, stability first<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn the short and medium term, innovation may take a back seat<\/strong>. Publishers will focus on proven titles with guaranteed returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00ab The situation is too unstable to predict, Herv\u00e9 admits. Our partners are passionate\u2014they\u2019ll find ways. But the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to produce high-quality games domestically \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nathan McNair agrees: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab If someone finds a way to manufacture quality games in the U.S. at reasonable prices, I\u2019d be thrilled. But right now, the printers are in China \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next ?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWithout a reversal in U.S. policy, the board game sector may mirror other affected industries :\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big players survive<\/strong>, while small innovators struggle<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStock shortages<\/strong>, price hikes<\/strong>, and less diversity<\/strong> could push consumers away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00ab Americans are being hit from all sides, says Herv\u00e9. Spending on board games may not be a priority \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, there\u2019s hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00ab With the holidays approaching, a toyless Christmas might pressure the government to reconsider \u00bb, Herv\u00e9 adds. Some exemptions have already been granted to Apple and Nike\u2014but whether games will follow remains uncertain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ripple Effects Beyond the U.S.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEurope won\u2019t be spared.\u00a0 Marketing budgets from U.S. partners fuel global campaigns<\/strong>\u2014if they dry up, visibility drops.\u00a0 Grouped production orders lose scale<\/strong>\u2014raising costs for English-language versions in Canada and the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn a fragile ecosystem, every decision counts. The board game industry now faces a pivotal moment\u2014where resilience, creativity, and global cooperation will determine what\u2019s left on the shelves next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12th may 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0 Three major crises in five years. From COVID-related port closures to the 2021 shipping cost explosion, and now a new challenge: 145% additional U.S. tariffs on most Chinese-made goods. The board game industry, deeply reliant on global logistics, is feeling the shockwaves.Continue reading \u00ab\u00a0U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2559"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2561,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions\/2561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Options ? Limited :<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab We\u2019ve paused all unlaunched projects \u00bb, says Herv\u00e9. Blackrock Games chose solidarity over risk, with support from understanding publishers. But delays loom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n European production quotes<\/strong> are underway\u2014less taxed, but more expensive and slower. More demand on European factories means longer lead times. What was short-term now becomes mid-term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where long-term damage begins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab We haven\u2019t downsized, but we\u2019ve canceled future projects, says Nathan McNair of Pandasaurus. Several promising titles may never reach the U.S. market. Instead, Pandasaurus plans to publish directly in French and German \u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lack of warning left everyone scrambling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab No one could anticipate this, Herv\u00e9 explains. Stocks couldn\u2019t be rerouted, cash flow couldn\u2019t be adjusted. The industry is paralyzed \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the short and medium term, innovation may take a back seat<\/strong>. Publishers will focus on proven titles with guaranteed returns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab The situation is too unstable to predict, Herv\u00e9 admits. Our partners are passionate\u2014they\u2019ll find ways. But the U.S. lacks the infrastructure to produce high-quality games domestically \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nathan McNair agrees: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab If someone finds a way to manufacture quality games in the U.S. at reasonable prices, I\u2019d be thrilled. But right now, the printers are in China \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without a reversal in U.S. policy, the board game sector may mirror other affected industries :\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Big players survive<\/strong>, while small innovators struggle<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stock shortages<\/strong>, price hikes<\/strong>, and less diversity<\/strong> could push consumers away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab Americans are being hit from all sides, says Herv\u00e9. Spending on board games may not be a priority \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, there\u2019s hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab With the holidays approaching, a toyless Christmas might pressure the government to reconsider \u00bb, Herv\u00e9 adds. Some exemptions have already been granted to Apple and Nike\u2014but whether games will follow remains uncertain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Europe won\u2019t be spared.\u00a0 Marketing budgets from U.S. partners fuel global campaigns<\/strong>\u2014if they dry up, visibility drops.\u00a0 Grouped production orders lose scale<\/strong>\u2014raising costs for English-language versions in Canada and the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a fragile ecosystem, every decision counts. The board game industry now faces a pivotal moment\u2014where resilience, creativity, and global cooperation will determine what\u2019s left on the shelves next season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12th may 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0 Three major crises in five years. From COVID-related port closures to the 2021 shipping cost explosion, and now a new challenge: 145% additional U.S. tariffs on most Chinese-made goods. The board game industry, deeply reliant on global logistics, is feeling the shockwaves.Continue reading \u00ab\u00a0U.S. Tariffs : what do they mean for the board game industry ?\u00a0\u00ab\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2559"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2561,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2559\/revisions\/2561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.blackrockgames.fr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
2. Games about to enter production<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Games still in concept phase<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCreativity on hold, stability first<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s next ?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ripple Effects Beyond the U.S.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n