As Americans gather to watch fireworks burst across the sky this July 4, few realize that the dazzling displays are on the brink of disappearing — casualties of a trade war that’s scorched the very industry that fuels the nation’s patriotic celebrations. At the heart of the crisis is President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policy, which has made the cost of importing fireworks skyrocket and left the $2 billion industry reeling.

An Industry Built on Imports — and China

Fireworks in the United States are almost entirely imported. According to the National Fireworks Association, about 99% of fireworks sold in the U.S. are made in China, the global leader in pyrotechnics manufacturing. In 2022 and 2023, the U.S. imported over 16,000 containers of fireworks, with fewer than 100 containers coming from outside of China. The sheer dominance of Chinese imports means any disruption in this pipeline has devastating consequences.

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Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy, which initially imposed rates as high as 145% on Chinese imports, has created panic across the fireworks sector. Although a temporary truce in May reduced tariffs on fireworks to 30%, the damage was already done. Importers rushed to bring in inventory ahead of tariff hikes, creating backlogs, canceled orders, and severe supply chain disruptions. In some cases, cargo ships returned to China without unloading, as importers could no longer afford the costs.

Economic Detonation: Price Hikes and Cancelled Shows

The impact has been immediate and profound. Retail prices for consumer fireworks have spiked by 35–50% in many states. Small businesses, roadside vendors, and city councils that rely on modest budgets for July 4 events are facing tough choices: scale back shows, cancel them entirely, or pass higher costs onto communities.

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“Fireworks are a luxury,” said AJ Burns, a sales manager at North Central Industries. “When the cost becomes too great, the end user simply walks away.”

And that’s exactly what’s happening. While some large cities might absorb the higher costs, smaller towns — especially in rural America — are cancelling displays altogether or settling for reduced-scale events. The anticipated nationwide celebrations for America’s 250th birthday in 2026 are now in jeopardy.

Geopolitical Fallout: More Than Just Fireworks

The fireworks industry is a case study in how geopolitical strategy can ripple through even the most unexpected sectors. Trump’s tariffs were designed to pressure China and bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. But in industries like fireworks — which are hazardous to produce and highly regulated — domestic alternatives are virtually nonexistent.

“There is no feasible path to rapidly shift production from China to the U.S.,” said Stacy Schneitter-Blake, president of the National Fireworks Association. “Not only is the manufacturing infrastructure lacking, but insurance and regulatory hurdles make domestic production nearly impossible.”

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Efforts to shift sourcing to countries like Cambodia or Brazil have failed to meet demand due to safety, quality, and logistical limitations. For now, China remains the only viable supplier — and that dependency makes the industry extremely vulnerable to future tariff escalations.

Policy Pressure and Patriotic Irony

Fireworks trade groups, including the American Pyrotechnics Association, have lobbied hard for an exemption. They’ve framed their plea in patriotic terms, quoting John Adams’ vision of “illuminations” as essential to the spirit of American independence.

Their efforts have so far failed to sway the administration. White House spokesperson Kush Desai responded curtly:

“Real prosperity and patriotism isn’t celebrating with cheap foreign firecrackers. It’s building a robust manufacturing economy.”

Yet, the reality is that fireworks production isn’t returning to American soil anytime soon. The industry remains caught between symbolism and policy, with few options for relief.

The Path Ahead: Dark Skies?

With no end in sight to the tariffs and no clear plan for domestic production, the outlook is grim. Retailers and distributors warn that unless clarity is provided soon, 2026’s semiquincentennial could be a dim affair, overshadowed by the unintended consequences of protectionist policies.

As John Sorgi of American Fireworks in Ohio put it:

“Our industry has never been more at a breaking point — and it’s supposed to be the biggest Fourth of July we’ve ever had.”

Unless the Trump administration reconsiders its approach or offers specific exemptions, fireworks — one of the most visual expressions of American patriotism — may become a rare and costly spectacle, dimming a tradition that has united generations.