ChinaTalk The Toymaker vs. the Tariffs
30 snips
Mar 19, 2026 
Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources and creator of Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog, led a small toy maker to challenge massive tariffs at the Supreme Court. He recounts why he sued when others stayed silent. He describes how tariffs threatened jobs and a century-old business. He explains why toy manufacturing stays concentrated in China and what winning means for refunds and the rule of law.
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Why The CEO Decided To Sue
- Rick Woldenberg decided to sue because tariffs threatened Learning Resources' survival and 500 jobs.
- He saw tariffs rising from $2M to a projected $100M and chose action to protect a multigenerational family business.
Designed In The US, Made Where It’s Economical
- Learning Resources designs products in the U.S. but manufactures mostly overseas to meet cost and finishing requirements.
- They are both exporter and importer, selling in 100+ countries and employing teams in the U.K., illustrating global supply interdependence.
Handwork Makes US Toy Manufacturing Uncompetitive
- Hand-assembly and finishing make toy manufacturing labor-intensive and uneconomic in the U.S.
- Rick explains $20/hour assembly wages make domestic production unviable compared with available overseas labor and capabilities.