In a factory that makes baseball caps, Trump’s tariffs bring chaos and likely price hikes

NBC News | Comcast ^ | April 5, 2025 | By Janis Mackey Frayer and Peter Guo

[Oldeconomybuyer]

GUANGZHOU, China — At his factory in southern China, hat supplier Jeffy Ma is trying to keep up with global demand as well as President Donald Trump’s seismic changes to international trade.

His company, Ace Headwear, sews, embroiders and finishes golf visors, cycling headwear and baseball hats for brands such as Wilson and Fila, as well as for Major League Baseball teams. About 40% of the hats his 350 employees make are sold to the United States.

“For us, the manufacturing profit is very low, so we cannot absorb so much,” Ma told NBC News last week at his factory in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Guangzhou. “I think the final result is that the consumer in U.S.A., they will pay.”

The 34% tariffs come on top of earlier tariffs of 10% each that Trump imposed on Chinese goods in February and March. China had announced retaliatory tariffs in response to those as well.

“It’s a mess,” Ma said of the tariffs.

[central_va]

Feel good story of the day.

[central_va]

Nothing gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling like seeing “Made In China”.

[central_va]

Like seeing a Dead Head sticker on a Cadillac.

[grumpygresh]

It’s good to see NBC care more about Chinese factory owners than US factories. The consistent treason by the leftist media is very reassuring.

[FlingWingFlyer]

What does Jeffy Pa think about Trump’s tariffs?

[John Milner]

The fact that they have the nerve to sell a cap that cost $2 to make for $40 because it has a Pro or College name on it is just ridiculous.

[EliRoom8]

“I think the final result is that the consumer in U.S.A., they will pay.”

Or re-examine whether a baseball cap is worth more than some other priorities.

[EliRoom8]

If he’s in China with the way they’re reacting, it’s going to get much worse.

[Pearfect]

NBC

NOBOBY BUT CHINA !!! ( NBC)

Why don’t you support THE USA FOR A CHANGE !!!!

[deport]

American Made CAPS>

[Varsity Flight]

“At his factory in southern China, hat supplier Jeffy Ma”

X China
X Foreign

[Sequoyah101]

“I think the final result is that the consumer in U.S.A., they will pay.” Sorry Ma, I think they will buy sumting else.

I hardly wear baseball caps but truly do have boxes full of them from decades ago when I collected them from vendors. I also had caps made for my company and still have a few sacks of those too. Maybe I can sell them on the black market?

[libertylover]

Hate, hate, and more hate. That’s all we hear from the HBM (Has Been Media).

And I can’t remember the last time I bought a cap that was made in America.

[Sarah Barracuda]

And thus this is the problem relying on China for every damn thing even something as simple as a freakin baseball cap is made in China

[central_va]

And thus this is the problem relying on China for every damn thing even something as simple as a freakin baseball cap is made in China

This is the bizarro world created by the Adam Smithian cult.

[Nervous Tick]

I got all teary eyed at the sob story headline and then I realized it was in CHINA and I dried up pretty quick.

[ridesthemiles]

I WONDER WHO MADE THE MAGA CAPS? & HOW MANY???

[faucetman]

We’ll make our own without slave labor. TYVM

[mmichaels1970]

Or re-examine whether a baseball cap is worth more than some other priorities.

That kinda got me to thinking. The existing argument is that tariffs result in increased prices, as the surcharge is passed onto the consumer. But perhaps you could argue that this would lead to decreased DEMAND. Thus, stabilizing prices. To go further, decreased demand leads to decreased consumption, leads to less waste.

By that logic, one could conclude that tariffs are good for the climate and environment yes?

Hmmm. Trump is saving the environment…..

[MinorityRepublican]

But perhaps you could argue that this would lead to decreased DEMAND.

There will be a short term economic impact. Several countries will be making deal with Trump. But it may take a while to make a deal with China. That's a big one.