A new report by The Verge delved deep into how the Trump administration’s tariffs are impacting small creators in the fandom world. These creators make art and merch inspired by beloved video games and anime. However, as Trump’s tariffs devastate businesses of all sizes, this vibrant community might be in trouble.
In an interview with The Verge, VTuber artist Biggles explained how she imports most of her raw materials from China. However, as China faces a 104% tariff increase, the artist is fearful for the future. “This is my dream,” she said. “Creating things is why I wake up every day. The tariffs felt like [they were] crashing something I worked so hard for.”
Similarly, illustrator and comic artist Vreni Stollberger adds, “I’ve always tried to have my products manufactured in the US. But there’s a lot of items that you can only get from China. Washi tape, key chains, plush toys, custom apparel, they’re almost impossible to find here and when you do find them, they’re far too expensive to be a viable option.”
Dustin Holden, who modifies video game consoles, told the outlet that he finds himself in the same predicament. “Even if we redesigned our products to accommodate alternative microcontrollers, power supplies, or analog components, no domestic equivalents are available,” he explained to the outlet.
Ultimately, while Biggles went on to admit that she’s “scared for the [tariffs’] impact and how this will uproot lives,” it looks like this group of artists is unwilling to let the government win. As Stollberger puts it, “I keep at it because as corny as it sounds, nothing in the world is better than drawing a picture that makes someone go ‘hell yeah.”
The question is, will this true grit be enough to ensure their businesses’ survival? The future looks uncertain, but what’s clear is that these artists aren’t going down without a fight.
