White House warns China-made dolls may contain lead paint amid trade tensions

White House officials, including top adviser Stephen Miller, defended President Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods by arguing that Americans would prefer to pay more for higher-quality, American-made toys than for potentially unsafe imports from China, which they claimed might contain lead paint and be of lower quality. Trump acknowledged that the tariffs could mean children have fewer toys, suggesting that 'maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30,' but asserted that the American dolls would be better made. Miller and others claimed that Trump's economic policies—such as tax cuts, deregulation, and lower energy prices—would ultimately make domestic manufacturing more competitive and affordable. Meanwhile, critics noted that the tariffs have increased market anxiety, strained international relationships, and led to higher costs for companies like General Motors, which projected significant losses. The debate highlights a broader tension between economic nationalism and the impact of tariffs on consumer prices and supply chains. Despite assurances from the administration, some toy retailers have reportedly cut back on orders due to concerns about higher import taxes.