New U.S.-China Trade Board Designates Toy Industry for Broad Tariff Relief

NEW YORK, NY | September 29, 2026 - The Toy Association™ today welcomed a historic development for the U.S. toy industry under the newly formed U.S.-China Board of Trade. New details released this week show toys as the largest category of goods on the Board of Trade's U.S. tariff relief list, accounting for approximately $9.8 billion of the $30 billion identified U.S. imports. While the final tariff adjustment has not yet been confirmed, Chinese officials indicated this could result in a most-favored nation (MFN) tariff rate on select toys and games imported from China.

On September 26, the White House announced that toys are among the non-sensitive goods designated for preferential tariff treatment under the new framework, paving the way for significant tariff relief. Subsequently, Chinese officials have indicated that over 90 percent of the products covered by the Board of Trade framework could return to MFN rates.

"The toy industry is pleased that toys have been designated as a category of non-sensitive goods under the U.S.-China Board of Trade framework. This marks a historic win for American toy companies - 96% of which are small businesses - and families, especially as we approach the holidays," said Greg Ahearn, president & CEO of The Toy Association. "Our mission is to advocate for the global toy industry, and inclusion of toys on the Board of Trade list is a testament to our ongoing work benefiting the entire toy community."

"As we await confirmation from the U.S. government regarding new tariff rates for toys, we would like to thank the Administration and USTR for recognizing the unique nature of the toy supply chain. We appreciate President Trump's commitment to protecting American families and preserving children's access to the essential benefits of play. The new U.S.-China trade framework will ensure toys are available and affordable for American families this holiday season and beyond," added Kathrin Belliveau, chief legal & policy officer at The Toy Association.

As the voice of the U.S. toy industry, The Toy Association advocates for public policy that supports its members, strengthens the global toy industry, and promotes the benefits of play for children and families around the world.

About The Toy Association™ toyassociation.org / toyfoundation.org / peopleofplay.com / thegeniusofplay.org / playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $155.7 billion, and its roughly 800+ members drive the annual $45.6 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide.