MARIENBERG, Germany (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to become a tough nut to crack in an unlikely place — a small Germany company producing painstakingly hand-crafted nutcrackers that are snapped up by American collectors.
Two limited-edition nutcrackers titled “Resolute Desk of the President,” featuring a seated figure signing a “presidential proclamation,” are seen on a table at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The limited-edition nutcrackers titled “Resolute Desk of the President,” featuring a seated figure signing a “presidential proclamation,” is seen at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
In a factory nestled deep in the hills of eastern Germany, craftspeople put together classic fare such as a variety of Santas, Scrooge and the Mad Hatter — as well as American-themed items like Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty and Mickey Mouse. The company, Steinbach Volkskunst, also makes collectibles like a coronation-themed tribute to Britain’s King Charles III.
A woman fixes a coat on a nutcracker titled “Resolute Desk of the President,” featuring a seated figure signing a “presidential proclamation,” at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
The desk of the limited-edition nutcracker titled “Resolute Desk of the President,” featuring a seated figure signing a “presidential proclamation,” is seen at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A nutcracker commemorating the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III, right, stands alongside other nutcrackers at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
This week, a limited-edition creation titled “Resolute Desk of the President,” featuring a seated Trump-like figure signing a “presidential proclamation,” is taking shape at Steinbach’s factory on the edge of the small town of Marienberg, near the Czech border.
Nutcrackers are displayed at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
An Uncle Sam nutcracker with an American flag, center, stands between other nutcrackers at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A man works on a lathe in the carpentry of the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Rico Paul, manager and owner of the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory, poses for a photograph inside his factory, in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Fabrics for nutcracker costumes are stored on the shelf at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
From right, nutcrackers showing Britain’s King Charles III, Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam are displayed at the Steinbach-Volkskunst nutcracker factory in Marienberg, Germany, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Steinbach Volkskunst sells more than 90% of what it makes to the United States. It is looking at ways to lessen the impact of tariffs, but can only change so much. The U.S. initially imposed a 20% tariff on goods from the European Union, but the administration suspended that for 90 days while leaving a baseline 10% tariff in place.
The “made in Germany” label is important to the company’s appeal and the focus on the U.S. market is deeply embedded in the company’s history. Its manager says it will “keep faith with America.”
