Trump’s Tariff Hike Could Dim July 4th Fireworks: Industry Sounds the Alarm

American fireworks suppliers are scrambling as sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports threaten to darken skies this Fourth of July. With the vast majority of consumer fireworks sourced from China, companies say President Trump’s latest tariff move — dubbed “Liberation Day” — could make 2025’s celebrations far more expensive and less spectacular.

Tariffs Hit at the Worst Time

The April 2 announcement spiked import taxes on most Chinese goods to a staggering 145%. While some tariffs were later scaled back, fireworks remained heavily taxed. Many wholesalers canceled orders or halted production overseas, saying the sudden cost hike was simply unaffordable.

“It’s a very, very serious situation,” said Michael Ingram, CEO of Fireworks Over America. “It would be a shame to have the skies go dark on the Fourth of July.”

China manufactures over 99% of U.S. consumer fireworks and roughly 75% of professional-grade shows, according to the National Fireworks Association. With tariffs in place, companies say the math doesn’t work: either cancel shipments or raise prices dramatically — risking sales entirely.

Veterans, Churches, and Small Sellers Affected

Some shipments were even intended for charitable causes. Ingram said one large order stuck in China was tied to a veterans group using fireworks sales to support suicide prevention programs. Others, like roadside stands operated by churches and schools, now face supply shortages or financial losses.

“We’ve had to leave shipments overseas,” said Stacy Schneitter Blake, President of the National Fireworks Association. “And many are just eating the cost of returning shipments to warehouses.”

Looking Ahead to 2026: The Semiquincentennial Threat

Beyond this year, concerns loom even larger for America’s 250th birthday in 2026. Uncertainty over tariffs has led wholesalers to cancel future orders, and some Chinese production facilities have already shut down. According to NPR reporting, if these conditions continue, the U.S. may not be able to source enough fireworks in time for the nation’s biggest celebration in decades.

Domestic Manufacturing? Not So Fast

While the Trump administration maintains that tariffs are meant to boost American-made goods, fireworks companies say that’s unrealistic. Manufacturing pyrotechnics domestically would require vast land, strict safety protocols, and raw materials the U.S. doesn’t currently produce or process.

“It makes no sense to try to manufacture in the U.S. at this point,” said Julie Heckman of the American Pyrotechnics Association. “Nobody wants to do this kind of work, and it’s very dangerous.”

Supporters Feel the Strain Too

Even those backing Trump’s trade strategy say the timing is brutal for small seasonal businesses. Zach Terhark of Iowa Fireworks Co. said two of his container shipments were canceled, and a third is en route, leaving him unsure how he’ll cover the new import costs.

“I support President Trump… but we’re just kind of stuck in the middle of this,” Terhark said. “There are real people depending on this income — families, churches, Boy Scout troops.”

With the fireworks industry sounding the alarm and key events just weeks away, many are now calling for tariff exemptions — like those granted during Trump’s first trade war in 2019. Whether relief comes in time remains a very open question.