What a Monopoly importer learned when it tried to make things in the U.S.A.
In an effort to sidestep President Trump's tariffs, the WS Game Company decided to build a special edition Monopoly game in the United States. But the experiment almost didn't pass go. WS Game Company
In an effort to sidestep President Trump's tariffs, the WS Game Company decided to build a special edition Monopoly game in the United States. But the
Read Full Story at NPR News →Why This Matters
The WS Game Company’s attempt to bypass tariffs by manufacturing Monopoly in the U.S. reveals a harsh truth: even well-established brands cannot easily disentangle themselves from global supply chains. This experiment underscores how deeply tariffs distort economic incentives, forcing companies to confront the real costs of reshoring—not just in dollars, but in operational complexity and lost efficiencies.
Background Context
Toys and games have long been a bellwether for U.S. manufacturing shifts, with 80% of American toy production relocated overseas in the past four decades. Trump-era tariffs—originally framed as a blow to foreign competitors—ended up exposing domestic manufacturers to collateral damage, from higher material costs to production bottlenecks. The WS Game Company’s dilemma mirrors broader tensions between protectionist policies and the reality of interconnected supply chains.
What Happens Next
If the WS Game Company’s experiment yields a commercially viable U.S.-made Monopoly, it could trigger a domino effect among other toy manufacturers, testing whether the domestic market is willing to absorb the premium. Yet the bigger test may come in Washington, where policymakers will need to reconcile the unintended consequences of tariffs with their stated goals—or risk further erosion of manufacturing incentives.
Bigger Picture
This story reflects a growing paradox: while reshoring is often touted as an economic panacea, the tools meant to accelerate it—like tariffs—can backfire by inflating costs and discouraging innovation. It also highlights how even iconic American brands now operate in a globalized economy, where the desire for "Made in the USA" labels clashes with the practicalities of modern production.
