The latest round of tariffs on aluminum, silicone, and dyes are not bringing toymaking jobs back to the country, but instead creating a world of problems for the toymakers already here, writes Eric Boehm for Reason magazine.

By the end of this year, Phoenixville-based Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld is expecting to see its extra costs rise into the six figures, due to the tariffs aimed at Chinese-made goods, according to CEO Aaron Muderick.

The putty-maker currently employs about 85 people, but that number may be under threat from any significant increase in manufacturing costs.

Before the tariffs were implemented, the company made the decision to disrupt its usual supply chain to stock up on silicone and get ahead of the anticipated price increases. However, when that supply runs out, Muderick is worried about the negative effect it will have on the company.

“We’ve already locked in prices with retailers for next year with many of our products,” he said. “It’s going to be very difficult for us, because the margins just keep getting tighter and tighter.”

Read more about Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld in Reason magazine here.

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