By: Vincent L. Hall
I never realized the significance of “Christmas in July” until Bruce Willis’ blockbuster hit the market in 1988. I felt uneasy when I left Diehard’s theatre debut in late July!
As soon as the blazing summer sun hit me, after watching a movie with a Christmas theme, I finally grasped the irony of experiencing the joy of Yuletide in the heat of the summer. It was a bit eerie!
But if you’re smart, you had better schedule your Christmas plans around Independence Day. Because this year, there might not be a damned thing on the shelves by December.
If you think I’m either lying, hallucinating, or embellishing, you haven’t read the front-page story of the L. A. Times from last week.
“Imports at the Port of Los Angeles are expected to plunge in the next two weeks, even as negotiations over the final tariffs that China and other countries must pay are still being negotiated by President Trump.
That was the sobering message that port Executive Director Gene Seroka had Thursday for the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners during an update on port activity.
“It’s my prediction that in two weeks’ time, arrivals will drop by 35% as essentially all shipments out of China for major retailers and manufacturers have ceased, and cargo coming out of Southeast Asia locations is much softer than normal,” Seroka told the board.”
Just think about all of the goods we crave and consume that are made in China and shipped through major American ports like the one in Los Angeles. It’s a list you should consider.
AI is smarter than me, so let me tell you how it answered my query about our dependency on Chinese products.
“The United States imports a wide variety of goods from China, with major categories including consumer electronics, machinery, and textiles. Specifically, smartphones, computers, toys, and video game consoles are prominent imports. In 2021, machinery and mechanical appliances accounted for 47.7% of U.S. imports from China. Additionally, the U.S. imports furniture, bedding, and other miscellaneous manufactured items.”
Maureen Dowd, one of my favorite literary satirists, even mentioned the upcoming malady in her latest column.
“Trump may even turn into the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Jami Warner, the executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association, warned on CNN on Friday that the holiday may be difficult for a lot of families accustomed to getting their cheap artificial trees, lights, and ornaments from China, not to mention presents.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom went on air to explain the lawsuit his state and others filed against Trump for his unlawful tariffs. But to punctuate his narrative and to assist those of us who are visual learners, he made another statement.
As a parent of small children, Newsom warned that there may not be any toys on the shelves in December. What’s scarier is how Americans hoard and react emotionally when we experience limited supplies of products in high demand.
Americans “did the fool” during COVID over toilet tissue and basic consumer goods.
Some of us lived through the Cabbage Patch Doll shortage.
Nobody wants to see Americans going to blows in the mall. Getting your Christmas trees, trimmings, toys, telephones and electronic gifts may be a good idea now.
Christmas in July? Bet on it! Trump has put a tariff on Christmas 2025!
A long-time Texas Metro News columnist, Dallas native Vincent L. Hall is an author, writer, award-winning writer, and a lifelong Drapetomaniac.
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