By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief In a move straight out of a blockbuster political drama, former President Donald Trump has imposed a 100% tariff on foreign-made films. The president issued notice on a full-scale trade offensive to save what he called the “dying” American movie industry. The bare bones announcement has raised concerns not just among foreign film … [Read more...] about Analysis: Trump Tariffs on Film a Disaster Movie Plot for Hollywood and Licensing
Trump Tariffs
Entertainment Software Association Warns of Tariff Impact
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The postponement of the Nintendo Switch 2 is just one sign the video gaming industry will be hard hit by tariffs. That's according to the Entertainment Software Association, which says the roller coaster ride of tariffs and counter-tariffs will impact the entire industry. "We do expect these tariffs will have a real and detrimental impact … [Read more...] about Entertainment Software Association Warns of Tariff Impact
The Brands and Categories Being Hit by ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Stock markets are in free fall globally, while top brands grapple with the fallout of new US trade tariffs announced by President Donald Trump on April 2. The tougher than expected tariffs are expected to impact on several sectors crucial to the global licensing industry, including the categories of toys, consumer electronics, … [Read more...] about The Brands and Categories Being Hit by ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
How Canadian Hockey Jerseys Illustrate the Licensing Industry’s Tariff Dilemma
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The tribulations faced by a Canadian sports licensee is providing a Maple Leaf-inspired view of how America's new trade tariffs could impact licensing. SP Apparel Inc. is an apparel company in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, that has been producing the official jerseys of the National Hockey League for decades. In fact, every authentic NHL … [Read more...] about How Canadian Hockey Jerseys Illustrate the Licensing Industry’s Tariff Dilemma
OECD Report: Tariff Trade Winds to Slow Global Economic Growth
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The global economy is in for a rough ride as US trade tariffs are expected to cause a widespread decline in GDP growth. The OECD (the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, representing the world's richest economies) headed their interim report in March with a photo of a ship being battered by heavy seas (above), a metaphor … [Read more...] about OECD Report: Tariff Trade Winds to Slow Global Economic Growth
Analysis: Licensing and Consumer Goods Industries Will Be Hard Hit by Trump Tariffs
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The tariff hammer dropped at midnight Tuesday, and reaction on the markets was swift and brutal, as consumer confidence plummeted to an alarming low in February. That’s very bad news for the licensing industry, which relies on consumer confidence to spur discretionary spending on a wide variety of goods. That’s expected to worsen, … [Read more...] about Analysis: Licensing and Consumer Goods Industries Will Be Hard Hit by Trump Tariffs