WASHINGTON ― The Trump administration is mulling over the possibility of granting tariff exemptions for various childcare products, including car seats, cribs, strollers, and other baby-related goods, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed to Congress.
President Donald Trump, during a press session on May 7, confirmed that he would consider the idea but expressed some hesitation about too many exceptions to his sweeping tariffs.
“I’ll think about it. I don’t know,” Trump remarked when asked about exemptions for baby products in the Oval Office. “I want to make it nice and simple,” he continued, stressing that he doesn’t want to create confusion by allowing too many carve-outs in his tariff plan. “But I’ll take a look at it,” he added.
Bessent, speaking before the House Financial Services Committee, confirmed the administration was indeed considering these possible exemptions for baby products. This came after Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts, pressed him for an answer during their exchange.
“It is under consideration,” Bessent responded after Pressley, seeking clarity on the matter, urged him to address whether he supports tariff exemptions aimed at easing financial pressure on families with young children.
“Families at home are hurting,” Pressley remarked, seeking a direct response.
Earlier this year, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, which represents the prenatal-to-preschool industry, wrote to Trump, urging the administration to exclude baby products from tariffs. The group noted that over 70% of baby products bought in the U.S. come from China, warning that the tariffs could lead to higher costs for families.
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A recent report by LendingTree found that U.S. parents spend more than $29,000 annually per child on raising young ones.
As Trump defends his tariff policies, claiming they are necessary to revitalize domestic manufacturing, he has also argued that U.S. children don’t need excessive personal possessions, using dolls and pencils as examples to illustrate his point.
The tariffs on Chinese goods have escalated to a staggering 145%, in addition to the 10% baseline tariffs on products from most other countries. Though Trump delayed increasing reciprocal tariffs on foreign goods by 90 days, the hefty levies on China remain intact.
Meanwhile, Trump also agreed last week to offer relief to automakers struggling under his steep 25% tariffs on foreign cars and auto parts, providing some temporary relief.
