--- title: How New 2018 Tariffs Impact the Maker Movement description: In this blog post, we'll explain what crafts, brands, and makers have been affected by the recent tariffs and how those tariffs impact the Maker Movement as a whole. image: https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/Fotolia_63994908_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg --- [![](https://anthonythomas.com/wp-content/themes/ata2017/img/ata_logo_tan.png)](https://anthonythomas.com) - [Why ATA?](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [The Short Story](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/) - [About Us](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/about-us/) - [Our Space](https://anthonythomas.com/why-ata/our-space/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [What We Do](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/) - [Inbound Marketing](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/inbound-marketing/) - [Commercial Process Engineering](https://anthonythomas.com/what-we-do/commercial-process-engineering/) - [What We've Done](https://anthonythomas.com/what-weve-done/) - [Who We've Worked With](https://anthonythomas.com/brands/) - [We Know Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [What We Know About Makers](https://anthonythomas.com/we-know-makers/) - [The Maker Files](https://anthonythomas.com/the-maker-files/) - [Marketing Resources & Downloads](https://resources.anthonythomas.com/see-what-weve-learned-about-makers-diyers) - [We Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com) - [Contact ATA](https://anthonythomas.com/contact-ata/) ![The Maker Files Blog](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hubfs/2018%20ATA%20Assets/2018%20Blog/The-Maker-Files-EB5937-456F74.png) # Our blog for brands looking to create authentic connections with makers & DIYers ### Popular Posts: [Knitting and Crochet Today: Statistics, Trends, and More](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/knitting-and-crochet-today-statistics-trends-and-more) [Who Are Today's Cosplay Makers? \[Statistics and Demographics\]](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/who-are-todays-cosplay-makers-statistics-and-demographics) [Automotive Enthusiast Demographics and Statistics Aftermarket Brands Should Know](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/automotive-enthusiast-demographics-and-statistics-aftermarket-brands-should-know) [Who Are Modern Crafters? 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While any big change in the global economy is sure to affect countless industries, the most recent list of imports includes imported craft supplies used in multiple maker segments and niches. In this blog post, we'll explain what crafts, brands, and makers have been affected by the recent tariffs and how those tariffs impact the Maker Movement as a whole. ## New Tariffs on Overseas Craft Supplies and Electronics ![Craft Supplies Store](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20Crafters/Fotolia_196175340_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=353&name=Fotolia_196175340_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg) Following the first and second waves of tariffs in 2018, a third list of over $200 billion more imports has recently accompanied an increase in the tariff from 10% to 25%. This new list includes a [variety of craft supplies](https://craftindustryalliance.org/craft-industry-fears-major-fallout-from-new-tariff-activity/) commonly bought and sold in numerous U.S. stores. Some examples of affected products are: - Cotton fabrics - Fleece, faux fur, and velour - Silk, polyester, and nylon - Dye and pigments - Ink - Thread and yarn - Glass and metal beads - Glue - Die-cutting machines - Paper products - Washi tape ![Electronic Parts](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20-%20Maker%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets/2017%20Maker%20Image%20Assets%20-%20General%20Makers/Fotolia_224356190_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=357&name=Fotolia_224356190_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg) According to statements from brands like Jo-Ann fabrics and Jacquard, many of these products, namely fabrics, [have no domestic supplier](https://craftindustryalliance.org/craft-industry-fears-major-fallout-from-new-tariff-activity/) within the U.S. Brands and makers who need these supplies will have no choice but to pay the tariffs if they want to continue sourcing the same materials. In addition to the craft store supplies, these tariff laws also place a [25% tax on unfinished electronics.](https://makezine.com/2018/06/22/new-tariffs-hurt-makers-encourage-offshoring/) This is a concern to makers on the technological side of the movement who choose to buy parts instead of finished electronic products. This change increases the risk of offshoring, or outsourcing the production of independent electronic devices to foreign countries, because it'll be much more expensive to import the parts than to import the finished electronics. ## Impact of Tariffs on the Maker Movement As of today, the lasting power of these tariffs is unclear. However, whether the laws are short- or long-term changes, they have the potential to set back [the progress of the Maker Movement](https://blog.anthonythomas.com/modern-makers-the-maker-movement-and-why-its-so-important)significantly, as well as harm the craft industry economically. First, the increased cost of importing these products not only affects the brands who sell them here in the U.S. but also the makers who use them. Brands will be forced to raise their prices on the wide variety of imported products, knowing all along that [most makers can't tolerate the increase.](https://craftindustryalliance.org/craft-industry-fears-major-fallout-from-new-tariff-activity/) Many small businesses and hobbyists will have tough financial decisions to make as their supplies get too expensive, leading to a huge regression in the Maker Movement as they cut back on their passions, or even sacrifice them completely. Beyond that, nonprofits, churches, and even schools will also suffer as a result of price increases that they don't have the budget for, and their projects and programs could ultimately fall by the wayside. The tariffs are posed to create a vicious cycle where brands lose customers and are forced to either make drastic cuts elsewhere (that means lost jobs or even storefronts), outsource production to other countries overseas, or even close up shop for good, depending on their strength in the marketplace. And when even Jo-Ann Fabrics, the largest craft store chain in the country, is worried about the impact of these economic constraints, every smaller brand certainly must experience the same worries. The best case scenario that the Maker Movement can hope for is a repeal of these 2018 tariff restrictions, but for now, these laws post a huge roadblock to the previously impressive growth of the modern maker community. 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