U.S. sports goods giant Nike is expected to raise the prices of its footwear, apparel, and equipment as early as this week because of the tariff impact on the retail industry, as CNBC reported on Wednesday (Eastern Daylight Time).
Many Nike products will be involved in the price hike, ranging from 2 to 10 U.S. dollars, while children products and items priced under 100 dollars will not be involved, CNBC cited source.
The hike will be 5 dollars for Nike footwear priced between 100 and 150 dollars, while 10 dollars for sneakers above 150 dollars, the source said, adding that prices for its apparel and equipment for adults will go up by 2 to 10 dollars.
The prices will be raised no later than June 1, but the hike may be visible on shelves as early as this week, the person said.
Earlier this month, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) sent a letter signed by 76 footwear brands, including Nike, Adidas, Skechers, and Under Armour, to the White House to ask for tariff exemption, saying that President Donald Trump's tariffs pose an "existential threat" to the industry.
Meanwhile, U.S. consumer sentiment dropped further in May, with the index down to 50.8 this month from a final reading of 52.2 in April, while one-year inflation expectations rose to 7.3 percent from 6.5 percent in April, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.
Nike to raise product prices because of Trump tariff effect
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
