This year, fireworks will go off in Tampa Bay for the Fourth of July, even though there is a trade war between the US and China, which makes almost all of the world’s fireworks.
That might not be the case next year, though, when the U.S. turns 250 years old, if President Trump goes ahead with his plan to put 125% taxes on all goods from China.
In April, Trump put a 90-day hold on the planned triple-digit tariffs. However, taxes still went up from about 5% to about 30%. A lot of people buy fireworks almost a year ahead of time, and many cities and towns have contracts with suppliers that last for years.
This year, the city of St. Petersburg had to pay an extra $2,187.50 for the fireworks at the St. Pete Pier on July 4.
Pyro Productions in Alabama is where St. Petersburg gets its fireworks. Charles McKinley, a co-owner, said that his company charged all customers an extra 5% to cover the small rise in taxes while also raising the prices of the other items.
“This year doesn’t really worry us.” “Next year, we’re very worried,” McKinley said. “A lot of fireworks companies won’t want to sign contracts until they know how the business is doing and how much we’ll be paying for fireworks.”
In April, the people of St. Petersburg decided to keep the contract until the end of 2026. McKinley said he took a chance and bought four barrels with 1,500 boxes in each for 2026 to get ready. They should get there in September.
“The tariff is 150% one day and 35% the next. What will it be tomorrow?” He said. “That makes it really hard for us to charge our customers a fair price.” We’re very hopeful that the government will figure this out.
For now, the city of Tampa is not privately asking for money to pay for its “Boom by the Bay” fireworks show. However, communications director Adam Smith said that the city will have a fireworks show next year. He said that Sparkman Wharf and Armature Works will be running the fireworks this year instead of the city.
Mike Baker, assistant parks and recreation director, said that Treasure Island signed a three-year deal with its fireworks provider last year.
Every year, Largo puts out a bid for fireworks. Kara Piehl, who is in charge of special events at Largo, says the cost has gone up every year since many businesses shut down during the coronavirus crisis.
Piehl said, “I’m scared about how much it will be next year.” “Because I know it’s hard work and everyone wants a great show.” We also want to make sure it’s good for everyone else.
Nathan Kott, who runs Galaxy Fireworks in Tampa and is in charge of products and operations, said that tariffs also scare off retail buyers. He said that some buyers bought fireworks early and are storing them.
“I think almost everyone who comes in says something about it,” he said.
Kott said that he and other people in the fireworks business, like the American Pyrotechnics Association and the National Fireworks Association, have asked Trump for an exception in letters. He said that making fireworks is dangerous and that it would “be astronomically expensive” to do so in the U.S.
“I kind of get it. “He wants to make more things in the U.S.,” Kott said. “I believe it could work with a 25–26% tariff, but if you go much higher, you start pricing it out.”
