In Los Angeles, a beloved toy store with over three decades of history is grappling with declining profits, triggered by the U.S. government's newly imposed tariff policies.
Despite surviving fierce competition from e-commerce giants, the store now faces rising operational costs that threaten its survival, a direct result of the newly imposed tariff policies.
Owner Louis Calderon keeps a close eye on his computer, diligently tracking the latest tariff updates. With most of his products sourced from China, Calderon is wrestling with the growing uncertainty over how much his next shipment costs might rise due to the newly imposed tariffs.
"Because all my distributors already told me that everything is going to go up in price. So, I have to be smart of what I buy and what I don't buy. I mean I try to carry everything but with tariffs going up, I mean I try to be the lowest price possible. But I'm going to have to raise my prices, which is a bummer," said the shop sower.
The price hike is troubling not only for Calderon but also for his loyal customers. Many are beginning to hesitate, unsure if they can continue to afford the rising costs.
"Wages, you know, is not that high up here. But it will be a little hiccup, yeah, it'll be a little hard because prices they are already high," said Stephen Perez, a loyal patron.
Despite the looming financial strain, Calderon remains cautiously hopeful. While he managed to weather the e-commerce boom, he fears these tariffs might deliver a fatal blow.
For now, his remaining stock offers a temporary lifeline, but Calderon is deeply worried about his business's long-term survival.
"The one thing that I'm worried about is if we ever do close because of this, which hopefully won't happen," he said.
Los Angeles toy store fights for survival amid U.S. tariff impact
Los Angeles toy store fights for survival amid U.S. tariff impact
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Cai Qi addressed a meeting on the work of publicity held in Beijing on Monday, calling for efforts to deepen the study and publicity of the Party's new theories.
Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the remarks at the meeting attended by the country's publicity officials.
He said that efforts should be made to provide solid ideological guarantees, powerful inspiration and favorable cultural conditions for building China into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts.
Cai called on the officials to refine the working systems for arming all Party members, educating the people, and guiding practice with the Party's new theories.
He said that mainstream thoughts and views should enjoy stronger and more extensive support, and the guiding and shaping power of the core socialist values should be strengthened.
Cai underlined the importance of deepening reform in the cultural sector, enhancing the governance efficiency of the online ecosystem, and strengthening the international communications capabilities.
He also called for efforts to uphold and strengthen the Party's overall leadership, so as to provide a strong political guarantee for creating a new phase in publicity, ideological and cultural work. Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and outlined work plans for the coming year.
Li stressed the importance of studying and carrying out Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, deepening the study and publicity of the Party's new theories, and comprehensively enhancing the effectiveness of international communication.
Senior CPC official calls for efforts to deepen study of Party's new theories
Senior CPC official calls for efforts to deepen study of Party's new theories
