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Meghan Markle pushes the wrong buttons once again with tone-deaf comments dismissing the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs on her As Ever lifestyle brand. The Duchess of Sussex officially launched her lifestyle brand last month after much anticipation surrounding it. Despite the ensuing disputes over trademarks and plagiarism, the entrepreneur stuck to her game plan, dropping the first set of As Ever products on the sit and officially releasing them on April 2. Interestingly, the batch sold out spontaneously, despite the criticisms flooding the media.
It appears negative press is not the only dire situation Meghan Markle’s new brand, As Ever, can breeze through seamlessly. During an interview with the business magazine Fortune, the Suits alum revealed that her brand was well positioned to take any economic hit that current or future policies dealt her. Meghan particularly referenced Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed on foreign businesses, manufacturers, and countries.
Meghan Markle Claims Tariffs Won’t Affect Her Brand Amid Impending Recession
The duchess explained how all products from her brand were locally sourced and manufactured. Hence, she did not “anticipate tariffs affecting us directly.” She went on to explain the implication of this to day-to-day consumers, “in the larger context,” crediting her brand with creating “accessible and affordable products” with more prestige. Meghan added,
“I think during any time of recession, people still want to find creature comforts, items that can bring them joy.”
Going further, the 43-year-old revealed that her brand boasted of SKUs as low as $20, making certain products would remain accessible even after an expansion. Despite her positive analysis reassuring potential consumers, financial experts believe Meghan Markle missed the mark right from her first mention of recession. Speaking to Fox News, royal expert Hilary Fordwich slammed the duchess’ comments as “out of touch” and “inappropriate” as they completely ignored the broader economic struggles an average consumer deals with. Fordwich claimed,
“Her tariff comments were accurate as they are produced in the U.S. But particularly those regarding the recession were rather out of touch and dismissive. They were inappropriate given the broader economic struggles many of her fan base and others are facing.”
Meghan’s Comments Push Her Brand Farther From Consumers
Doubling down on the criticism, Fordwich noted that while Meghan was right about people seeking comfort even during tough times, only the wealthy could afford the nonessentials during those times. Overlooking this fact in her Fortune interview made Meghan Markle appear tone-deaf and unrelatable to her fanbase. The expert noted,
“Such elitist comments are more likely to alienate average consumers. Albeit her supporters make up the majority of her consumers, but the likelihood that her comments resonated with them, in terms of reality, is unlikely.”
Online critics have also weighed in on Meghan Markle’s comments about Donald Trump’s tariff during her interview discussing her As Ever lifestyle brand. One critic slammed,
“Delusional as ever.”
Another reacted,
“It’s sickening isn’t it? She’s a horrible joke. Can’t stand her out-of-touch, pretentious bulls—.”
A third criticized,
“Creature comforts was a pandemic thing. I think people have become more minimal. Any “fun money” is going towards travel/experiences not flower sprinkles and crappy jam.”
Another wrote,
“This woman’s delusion is matched only by her gargantuan EGO.”
Critics also pointed out the flaw in Meghan Markle’s assessment of Trump’s tariff, dubbing her clueless and ignorant. According to them, while her food items were sourced in the United States, the packaging materials like tins, bottles, papers, and the like could not all be locally sourced, making her brand prone to taking a hit from the imposed tariffs, like most other U.S. entrepreneurs. This would especially take a toll on Meghan’s brand, as she has yet to build customer loyalty that sustains most producers of nonessential items through the toughest economic times. If the widely predicted global recession hits under Trump’s reign, Meghan’s As Ever brand would require more than riding on Netflix‘s tailcoat to stay afloat.
