In an executive order on Tuesday, tariffs on goods from China were raised from the previously twice-hiked 54% to 104%, beginning Wednesday, April 9, impacting game publishers and merch companies even more profoundly.  The additional 50% tariff was added in response to a 34% tariff increase imposed by China in response to the 34% increase imposed by the U.S. last week, which brought the total U.S. import tax on goods from China to 54% (see "Worst Case Tariffs").

Companies with Kickstarter projects for products manufactured in China are in a particularly tough spot, with their costs now more than doubled and little ability to raise prices.  Prices on products already solicited to the trade may also be affected, requiring re-solicitation at new, higher prices.

It appears that comics, graphic novels, and RPG books are exempt from the new tariffs (see "Tariffs Will Not Apply").

With tariffs raised twice in the last seven days, and China likely to retaliate again to the latest increase, a high level of uncertainty remains, making planning for affected companies even more difficult.