Trump's Tariffs Loom Large Over Significant German Trade Exhibition
Tariffs imposed by the U.S. President on Chinese products raise worries among exhibitors and purchasers at Europe’s biggest design and housewares show.
The recent tariffs established by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese goods have become a central topic of conversation among the numerous exhibitors and buyers at Europe's largest exhibition for design, housewares, gifts, holiday products, and electrical appliances, which wrapped up yesterday in Frankfurt, Germany.
Chinese exhibitors and buyers seemed especially worried, while Israeli exhibitors emphasized the benefits of Israel's trade agreements with the U.S. and Europe, foreseeing possible advantages for Israeli industries and commerce stemming from Trump's tariffs.
The 'Ambiente' exhibition, combined with 'Creativeworld' and 'Christmasworld,' is celebrated for its reputation in design, crafts, and housewares in Europe, and is among the largest globally.
Around 5,000 companies took part in the exhibition, occupying an area ten times larger than the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds and drawing over 150,000 buyers, including many from Israel.
Organizers observed heightened interest from buyers in products featuring artificial intelligence technology.
American company Ninja, achieving four billion dollars in sales this year, secured numerous agreements.
Thousands of buyers were attracted to their cooking appliances, grills, smart fryers, food processors, and other innovative products, some of which are now accessible in Israel.
Additionally, large home ovens from a firm known for innovative kitchen gadgets, including pizza ovens and new kitchen tools, received significant attention.
Products made from recycled plastic also piqued interest.
Curver, a Luxembourg-based company owned by Israel's Keter Group, showcased a variety of useful plastic household items, from storage boxes and bowls to stylish new-designed trash bins.
Pinchas Dershowitz, CEO of Israeli company Paragon, which presented advanced plastic products from Israel, told Ynet and 'Mamon' that Trump's tariffs are likely to benefit Israeli industrial exports, referring to it as 'good news for us.' A German exhibitor expressed concern but also some optimism, stating, 'We already feel this will deal a blow to the Chinese industry, and it will benefit Europe, provided President Trump doesn't introduce new tariffs on the European Union.
What the U.S. decides on tariffs is already creating real disruption in negotiations between manufacturers and buyers at this winter's exhibition.' This year marked the first participation of Israeli company Sano, which, despite registering last minute and securing a relatively small booth in bright red, drew attention with its cleaning products, resulting in deal signings.
Sano is currently quite popular in several European countries, particularly Romania.
Israeli exhibitors noted that their products also attracted interest from buyers from Arab nations that lack formal relations with Israel, including Saudi Arabia.
'Nevertheless, most are primarily interested, and a few finalize deals with Israeli companies, purchasing products only through intermediaries from third countries,' they commented.
All Israeli exhibitors highlighted the warm welcome from the 'Ambiente' exhibition organizers and reported no incidents or negative sentiments against Israel amidst the events in Gaza.
'On the contrary, many expressed concern regarding the situation of the recently returned hostages in Israel and shared their hopes for the safe return of all hostages in the coming days.' Reflecting a slightly somber tone, a once-prominent segment of the massive exhibition—office supplies—seems to be dwindling.
Israeli exhibitors and buyers remarked, 'In an age where everything is mobile and online, it's very challenging to continue selling notebooks, markers, diaries, and pens—except for luxury items, which continue to be in vogue—and only wall calendars still find success.' A Japanese exhibitor confessed, 'This is our last exhibition.
There's no longer a necessity for pencils, erasers, and note holders.'
Chinese exhibitors and buyers seemed especially worried, while Israeli exhibitors emphasized the benefits of Israel's trade agreements with the U.S. and Europe, foreseeing possible advantages for Israeli industries and commerce stemming from Trump's tariffs.
The 'Ambiente' exhibition, combined with 'Creativeworld' and 'Christmasworld,' is celebrated for its reputation in design, crafts, and housewares in Europe, and is among the largest globally.
Around 5,000 companies took part in the exhibition, occupying an area ten times larger than the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds and drawing over 150,000 buyers, including many from Israel.
Organizers observed heightened interest from buyers in products featuring artificial intelligence technology.
American company Ninja, achieving four billion dollars in sales this year, secured numerous agreements.
Thousands of buyers were attracted to their cooking appliances, grills, smart fryers, food processors, and other innovative products, some of which are now accessible in Israel.
Additionally, large home ovens from a firm known for innovative kitchen gadgets, including pizza ovens and new kitchen tools, received significant attention.
Products made from recycled plastic also piqued interest.
Curver, a Luxembourg-based company owned by Israel's Keter Group, showcased a variety of useful plastic household items, from storage boxes and bowls to stylish new-designed trash bins.
Pinchas Dershowitz, CEO of Israeli company Paragon, which presented advanced plastic products from Israel, told Ynet and 'Mamon' that Trump's tariffs are likely to benefit Israeli industrial exports, referring to it as 'good news for us.' A German exhibitor expressed concern but also some optimism, stating, 'We already feel this will deal a blow to the Chinese industry, and it will benefit Europe, provided President Trump doesn't introduce new tariffs on the European Union.
What the U.S. decides on tariffs is already creating real disruption in negotiations between manufacturers and buyers at this winter's exhibition.' This year marked the first participation of Israeli company Sano, which, despite registering last minute and securing a relatively small booth in bright red, drew attention with its cleaning products, resulting in deal signings.
Sano is currently quite popular in several European countries, particularly Romania.
Israeli exhibitors noted that their products also attracted interest from buyers from Arab nations that lack formal relations with Israel, including Saudi Arabia.
'Nevertheless, most are primarily interested, and a few finalize deals with Israeli companies, purchasing products only through intermediaries from third countries,' they commented.
All Israeli exhibitors highlighted the warm welcome from the 'Ambiente' exhibition organizers and reported no incidents or negative sentiments against Israel amidst the events in Gaza.
'On the contrary, many expressed concern regarding the situation of the recently returned hostages in Israel and shared their hopes for the safe return of all hostages in the coming days.' Reflecting a slightly somber tone, a once-prominent segment of the massive exhibition—office supplies—seems to be dwindling.
Israeli exhibitors and buyers remarked, 'In an age where everything is mobile and online, it's very challenging to continue selling notebooks, markers, diaries, and pens—except for luxury items, which continue to be in vogue—and only wall calendars still find success.' A Japanese exhibitor confessed, 'This is our last exhibition.
There's no longer a necessity for pencils, erasers, and note holders.'
