Here is a fun fact: even if the game company that publishes your favorite tabletop game is based in the US, chances are their production happens overseas. Specifically, it probably happens in China, which means that the whole industry is bracing itself for the catastrophic consequences of Trump’s latest round of tariffs. Multiple figures within the tabletop industry, which includes card, board, and role-playing games, explained that the tariffs that went into effect on so-called Liberation Day are going to make your games and dice more expensive even after the industry has finally stablized after years of turmoil.

The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), said in a statement on Thursday that “The latest imposition of a 54% tariff on products from China by the administration is dire news for the tabletop industry and the broader US economy… Publishers will be forced to pass these costs along to their customers or face the prospect of ceasing operations… This means higher prices across the board as all these products will need to increase prices to compensate for these new Trump Taxes.”

Steve Jackson Games CEO Meredith Placko posted to the company blog that, even with these impending tariffs set to shave their already thin profit margins, most game companies simply can’t move their manufacturing to the US. Aside from the time it would take to set up new contracts with domestic factories and build the machinery necessary (who knows what Trump’s chaotic approach to trade policy will bring in six months?), there just isn’t the capacity in the US.

“The infrastructure to support full-scale boardgame production – specialty dice making, die-cutting, custom plastic and wood components – doesn’t meaningfully exist here yet," Placko explained. "I’ve gotten quotes. I’ve talked to factories. Even when the willingness is there, the equipment, labor, and timelines simply aren’t.”

We don’t know how long this round of tariffs will be in effect – Trump is famous for making about faces when forced to deal with anything resembling consequences for his actions, after all – but the longer they are in place, the more expensive your board games are going to be. Just like Nintendo’s Switch 2 price increase, these tariffs are going to make anything you buy that was made outside the US (roughly a third of all consumer goods in the US) more expensive. 

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