As U.S.-China trade frictions escalate, American consumers feel the pinch of rising prices on daily essentials and holiday goods, with many voicing desperation on social media. Posts like "I can barely survive" and "I need three to four jobs to make ends meet" have gone viral, while retailers warn of further price hikes, triggering panic buying and stockpiling. Analysts note collapsing consumer confidence, forcing households to cut spending or downgrade their consumption.
Should I hoard Pop Mart toys now?
Chinese trendy toys like Pop Mart have become a focal point of tariff anxiety. A TikTok user shared her dilemma: "I don't want to hoard blindly, but I'm terrified prices will keep rising." The post resonated widely, with collectors debating whether to "buy directly from Asia" or "stock up preemptively." Others lamented: "How can we hoard when new releases aren't even out yet?"
Buying toys like they're luxury items
Parents are also grappling with soaring toy prices. "A US$5 toy at Walmart now costs US$10 or even US$25 - it's infuriating," said one mother. "We shop for toys as cautiously as luxury goods now." A viral video captured widespread frustration: "Once prices rise, stores won't lower them. Inflation is permanent." Families are adapting by repairing broken toys instead of replacing them, a shift from past habits.
Working three jobs just to afford basics
Small businesses sound the alarm, too. Amy Rutherford, a Virginia-based toy store owner, warned that tariffs on Chinese imports, which make up nearly her entire inventory, could force drastic price hikes. "A US$32 panda plush would jump to US$80 if tariffs hit 145%. No one will pay that," she said.
Broader economic fears are mounting. One social media user criticized trade policies: "Trump's tariffs target China and others, but my real crisis is affording food and essentials." The post drew widespread support, with replies like "America needs imports, America needs China" and "I'll need three jobs just to live." As trade tensions redefine spending habits, U.S. households and businesses brace for a prolonged squeeze.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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