Kathrine Frich
Somewhere in a Malibu Dreamhouse, Barbie dropped her latte.
Somewhere in a Malibu Dreamhouse, Barbie dropped her latte.
Trump Declares Trade War on… Mattel?
Donald Trump has once again delivered a baffling and hilarious headline, this time by referring to toy company Mattel as if it were a sovereign nation.
While discussing tariffs, the president claimed that the Barbie-maker was “the only country” retaliating. Cue global facepalms.
“They’re the Only Country I’ve Heard…”
In a meandering comment during a press Q&A, Trump said:
“Mattel, I don’t know. I’m not so sure… They’re the only country I’ve heard, they said, ‘We’re going to go counter.’”
Critics quickly pointed out that Mattel is headquartered in California, not the Republic of Dollsylvania.
Trump Threatens Tariff Strike on Barbie Nation
Doubling down, Trump warned that if Mattel “goes counter,” he’ll slap a 100% tariff on their toys.
“He won’t sell one toy in the United States,” Trump said, confusing both grammar and geopolitical definitions.
Somewhere in a Malibu Dreamhouse, Barbie dropped her latte.
Mattel CEO Responds: ‘We’re Not Moving to America’
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz clarified that the company doesn’t plan to move manufacturing to the U.S., citing production efficiency abroad.
He gently dismissed Trump’s implied demand to “repatriate Barbie,” noting that innovation happens stateside, but factories? Not so much.
From Barbie Dolls to Battle Gear: Vance Gets Involved
Vice President JD Vance leapt to Trump’s defense, suggesting Americans should be okay with fewer toys if it means stronger American-made weapons.
“Would you rather have 30 dolls or a rocket launcher made in Ohio?” was the gist.
Apparently, fewer Barbies = stronger tanks.
Trump: “Maybe Two Dolls Instead of 30”
In a rare moment of honesty, Trump admitted that toy prices would rise.
But he framed it as a moral correction:
“Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30,” he said.