Core Viewpoint - The new tariffs imposed by President Trump, particularly the 10% baseline tariff and a 54% tariff on Chinese products, are expected to significantly impact companies like Amazon and Meta, which rely heavily on Chinese advertisers to reach American consumers [1][2]. Impact on Advertising Industry - Retail media and digital media will face substantial challenges due to the tariffs, especially affecting products shipped from China and Vietnam, which are crucial for Meta and Amazon [2]. - Quick-turn products such as apparel and home goods are anticipated to be the most immediately affected categories [2]. - Companies that depend on Chinese-based advertising, particularly in social media and retail media, are expected to be the biggest losers [3]. Broader Market Effects - The tariffs will have a widespread impact across all product categories and ad sellers due to the interconnected nature of global supply chains [3]. - Apple is highlighted as a company likely to suffer significantly since China is its primary manufacturing hub [3]. - Despite the challenges, some analysts believe that larger companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google may demonstrate resilience due to their scale and ability to deliver measurable outcomes [4]. Specific Company Insights - Pinterest, Reddit, and Snap are identified as being particularly vulnerable from an advertising perspective due to their smaller user bases compared to Meta [4]. - The advertising industry is preparing for the television upfronts, which may be affected by the economic situation, leading to longer negotiation times for ad placements [5]. - Live sports are seen as a safe advertising avenue, potentially benefiting companies like Disney and NBCUniversal [6]. Media and Entertainment Sector - Economic weakness stemming from the tariffs could negatively impact media and entertainment companies that rely on consumer spending, leading to a slowdown in advertising revenue [9]. - Disney's profitability is primarily driven by its parks and experiences, which may suffer from reduced tourism during a recession, although its streaming business could offset some losses [10]. - Netflix, while lacking the protective moat of experiences like Disney, is expected to maintain subscriber levels due to its utility status, though growth could be hindered by potential retaliatory tariffs in Europe [11]. Emerging Concerns - TikTok's future remains uncertain, with its advertising potential being recognized, but concerns about a potential ban or sale linger, especially in the context of tariffs being used as a bargaining tool [12].
Meta and Amazon's ad businesses could get whacked by Trump's tariffs. Here are the other media companies at risk.