# Are we (in the US) going to end up with empty shelves and much higher prices in May? What should we do to prepare **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 26, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518 "2025-04-26T01:37:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/61 "2025-05-02T11:59:50Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I was hoping it was extremely obvious the first sentence was parroting the right’s talking points, but I guess it wasn’t. I thought it was obvious, fwiw. 🤷‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/62 "2025-05-02T12:08:00Z")
That, but also, culinary aesthetics vary by culture - as I understand it, tendons and other animal parts that we tend to think of as inedible gristle, are regarded as deliciously chewy delicacies in other parts of the world. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/63 "2025-05-02T12:08:57Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It was patently obvious that you were being sarcastic. Thirded. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/64 "2025-05-02T12:23:55Z")
I sometimes buy chicken feet when I get Chinese dim sum. No, there’s not a lot of meat. But they are fun to eat, and prepared in a tasty sauce. I also sometime buy chicken feet for chicken broth, for which they are superb. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/65 "2025-05-02T12:42:13Z")
That was the most rubbish remark I’ve ever read here on the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/66 "2025-05-02T12:49:29Z")
I certainly hope this doesn’t occur. I, for one, really enjoy vegetable gardening and to see this honorable and rewarding hobby sullied with some kind of MAGA association would be heartbreaking. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/67 "2025-05-02T12:57:10Z")
Thank you very much! I feel honored. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/68 "2025-05-02T18:54:06Z")
Not only will shelves be empty, but the Christmas tree may have some space under it. Here is a [gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/business/trump-tariffs-christmas-china.html?unlocked_article_code=1.EE8.giC1.qK-HjAoS-0Xa&smid=url-share) from the Times today. 60% of toy companies with sales of under $100 million have already canceled shipments from China. 50% of them expect to be bankrupt by Christmas if the Chinese tariffs hold. China makes 80% of toys and 90% of Christmas decorations. You might think it is way early for Christmas but Toy Fair is in February and orders and inventory building should be happening now. Except the toy companies can’t afford to pay the tariffs. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/69 "2025-05-02T20:17:55Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > China makes 80% of toys and 90% of Christmas decorations. Cite? It is my understanding that the uncomplicated/cheap junk type manufacturing is moving to lower labor cost countries like Vietnam. A big issue as to why there will be empty shelves is because business doesn’t know what the rules will be in a few months. If business knew what the rules are going to be they would invest in setting up alternative supply chains, increase manufacturing in the U.S., buy new products with the increased tariffs or whatever. But it wouldn’t be surprising if China makes a few concessions, Trump declares victory and the situation goes back to normal. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/70 "2025-05-02T20:35:54Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Cite? Cite: > **[145% tariffs on China are clobbering the toy industry | CNN Business](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/12/economy/toy-prices-us-china-tariffs/index.html)** > > Toys made in China have been exempt from tariffs since President Donald Trump’s first term. That is no longer the case. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/71 "2025-05-02T20:41:05Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > If business knew what the rules are going to be they would invest in setting up alternative supply chains, increase manufacturing in the U.S., buy new products with the increased tariffs or whatever. Although some of those can’t be done in a time scale of months, even if they had enough certainly to act. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/72 "2025-05-02T20:45:47Z")
He killed Santa. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/73 "2025-05-02T21:02:47Z")
It was obvious to me, as well. And, I’m a bit sarcasm blind. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/74 "2025-05-02T21:19:36Z")
Good thing we can still say Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays is right the fuck out. ---
**Author:** ![illoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@illoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illoe)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/75 "2025-05-03T00:07:24Z")
My god, man, this is no time for sarcasm. Finally, in a few months, we will be able to say “Merry Christmas” without getting punched right in the snoot. Hallelujah. ---
**Author:** ![illoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@illoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illoe)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/76 "2025-05-03T00:17:29Z")
To return to the thread topic, I’m preparing by planting my garden, tending to the backyard chickens so I can give away delicious eggs to people who didn’t vote for fascism, and talking with my kids about the virtues of (trying to) making/fixing things instead of buying new stuff. I renewed my CostCo membership and cancelled renewal of my 28-year-old Amazon prime subscription when Bezos took control of the WaPo editorial page. That helped with impulse buying. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/77 "2025-05-03T00:26:21Z")
> [@illoe](#): > > My god, man, this is no time for sarcasm. Our goddess, human - there is ALWAYS time for sarcasm. Remember, every deity starts with DEI. ---
**Author:** ![illoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@illoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illoe)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/78 "2025-05-03T00:39:33Z")
That’s true!! And it reminds me of two other things I’m doing (sincerely) to prepare for the apocalypse: honing my sense of humor —because holy smokes these days it’s easy to panic and hard to laugh— and mentoring people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Neither of those things will help any more than having chickens (who really are the scarediest creatures you can imagine) when the neighbors come hunting for immigrant-harbors and atheists but they make the days go better. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/79 "2025-05-03T01:33:33Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Cite? It is my understanding that the uncomplicated/cheap junk type manufacturing is moving to lower labor cost countries like Vietnam. The cite was in the article I linked to. Not all toys are cheap junk. Many toy companies have long term relationships with factories in China. One issue is that no one knows which toys are going to be hot, so you need to work with someone who can shift the manufacturing mix at a moments notice - especially because shipping times are so long. > [@PastTense](#): > > A big issue as to why there will be empty shelves is because business doesn’t know what the rules will be in a few months. If business knew what the rules are going to be they would invest in setting up alternative supply chains, increase manufacturing in the U.S., buy new products with the increased tariffs or whatever. But it wouldn’t be surprising if China makes a few concessions, Trump declares victory and the situation goes back to normal. I agree that the problem is uncertainty. But companies can’t take the risk. One company quoted in the article said that they would have to pay a million dollars in tariff fees for their inventory. Remember they don’t get paid right away for this stuff, only for product the toy stores buy. Remember the Christmas toy market is controlled by parents, not the final consumers. Price something too high and the parents will buy something else or nothing at all. Which is why you can’t move manufacturing back to the US. Margins are too small for automating factories. Maybe Trump will back down. But if he does so after the tariffs are paid it is too late. Much safer to cancel the order. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Although some of those can’t be done in a time scale of months, even if they had enough certainly to act. When my wife reviewed toys (a great thing to get into for Christmas, she got boxes full of toys) I went with her a few years to Toy Fair in the Javits Center in NY, middle of February. People were making deals there. I was astonished at the lead times. I really feel for the toy companies. They are getting screwed for nothing they did. But, someone should make a TV show called “How the Trump Stole Christmas.” “You’re a mean one, Mr. Trump.” ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518/80 "2025-05-03T02:46:16Z")
…and my second biggest purchase was an emergency backup generator I bought just yesterday. This was after my electrician told me that the prices of all of the generators they sell are increasing dramatically. For example, the typical whole-house Generac generator they sell just increased in price this week by $400. What’s interesting about this is that Generac generators are made in the USA, but because they (Generac) reportedly import a lot of the components they use from overseas, they are having to increase their prices. In any event, the generator I bought was made in China. It gets good reviews on Consumer Reports, and is half the price of a Honda generator (which is the gold standard). If these tariffs continue, though, either the price is going to dramatically increase, or the importers will simply cancel their orders, which is going to lead to inventory shortages. Which is why I pulled the trigger now before shelves start emptying and/or prices start increasing due to lack of supply. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-us-going-to-end-up-with-empty-shelves-and-much-higher-prices-in-may-what-should-we-do-to-prepare/1017518.md?page=5)