Trump’s Tariffs On Chinese & Vietnamese Hair Products Drive Up Costs, Leave U.S. Black-Owned Salons Struggling
The recent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese and Vietnamese hair products have created serious challenges for Black-owned beauty salons across the United States. Products that form the backbone of many styling services, such as hair extensions, wigs, and glue, have seen dramatic price increases. Vietnamese hair extensions that used to cost $190 now sell for about $290 per package, while hair glue imported from China jumped from $8 to nearly $15 per bottle.
These rising costs are forcing salon owners into difficult choices. Some have asked clients to bring their own hair, while others have adjusted pricing. For instance, one stylist now offers a quick weave without hair for $140, whereas the full service with hair included previously cost $400. The tariffs also complicate logistics, as customs checks and paperwork slow shipments and raise expenses.
The financial strain has been particularly heavy on small business owners. Diann Valentine, founder of Slayyy Hair, received a $300,000 tariff bill for 26,000 units of braiding hair. To survive, she has raised prices, reduced her workforce, and taken on more personal labor. Large retailers such as TJ Maxx and Marshalls have resisted renegotiating contracts, leaving small suppliers with little room to absorb the extra costs.
The pressure has forced some entrepreneurs to shut down physical shops altogether. In Atlanta, beauty supply store owner Dionne Maxwell closed her location and moved operations online, citing a sharp drop in customer visits and higher wholesale purchase requirements. Many business owners report paying out of pocket just to keep operations running, as their revenue no longer covers the inflated costs.
Industry reports show tariffs on Chinese hair and skin care products now reach as high as 145 percent. Imports from Vietnam are also under heavy restriction, with tariffs set at 20 percent on official goods and 40 percent on shipments suspected of being rerouted from China. In April 2025, Trump announced broad “Liberation Day tariffs,” which included a 10 percent baseline tariff and additional country-specific increases that hit hair and beauty products especially hard.
The U.S. Black haircare market, worth over $2.5 billion, is highly dependent on imports. Because most salons and beauty supply businesses already operate on thin profit margins, these tariffs have placed them in a vulnerable position. For many stylists and store owners, the economic realities of the trade war now threaten not only their livelihoods but also the accessibility of hair care services for Black women who rely on these products.
What is unfolding is more than a trade dispute—it is a crisis affecting a vital cultural and economic sector. The combination of high tariffs, rising costs, and customer strain is reshaping how Black-owned salons and supply stores operate, with some adjusting services and others closing down entirely. Unless policy shifts or relief measures emerge, the pressure on these businesses is likely to deepen in the months ahead
