29-31_33_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 05/05/2025 13:00 Page 29
VIEWPOINTS
Tariff Turmoil
Donald Trump called it “Liberation Day” but millions of people and businesses affected directly or indirectly by the recent imposition of new tariffs on goods, including greeting cards, coming into the US take a somewhat different view. Publishers and US distributors vent their spleens on the ramifications of the tariffs for exports from the UK and China into the States and what they would say to the US President if they had the opportunity.
Furio Ceciliato, owner of Origamo
Above: Furio Immediate effects: with some of “These new tariffs Origamo’s imposed by the Trump Vietnamese quillers. Right: Origamo administration, along will be with the current climate launching its 3D handmade of uncertainty, have bookmarks at severely impacted our PG Live in June. business with the United States. At the moment, we have halted all shipments of our products to our US warehouse and suspended any further investments in that market. Since all of our Origamo products are manufactured in Vietnam, a country that has become a key target in the administration’s tariff policy, we believe it is necessary to pause and closely monitor how the situation evolves in order to make wellinformed decisions without rushing.”
Mitigating action: “The US market only represents a small proportion of our overall revenue. Therefore, at this time, I don’t believe any specific actions are necessary. The situation is very unclear, but I’m confident that in the coming weeks things will become more defined, making it easier to take any necessary countermeasures.” Wider ramifications: “Unfortunately, this climate of uncertainty affects many aspects, even those not directly related to the US market. One way or another, I hope the situation will soon become clearer, so that both investments and actions by Below: Furio would like to relay the lyrics of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ to Donald Trump. the various stakeholders can be taken in the right direction and in the interest of all parties involved.” Three minutes with Trump: “I would tell him what a young guy from Liverpool sung to us some years ago… "Imagine all the people Sharing all the world… You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one.” PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 29