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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Despite tariff talk, Tampa Bay will have fireworks for Fourth of July
Fireworks displays for the Fourth of July will pop off in Tampa Bay this year despite a brewing trade war between the United States and China, the nearly exclusive manufacturer of the world's fireworks. But that might not be the case next year — when the U.S. will celebrate its 250th birthday — if President Donald Trump resumes a plan to put 125% tariffs on all goods from China. Trump issued a 90-day pause on the planned triple-digit tariffs in April, though tariffs still rose from about 5% to roughly 30%. Most fireworks are ordered almost a year in advance and many cities and local governments have yearslong contracts with suppliers. The city of St. Petersburg had to pay an additional $2,187.50 for this year's Fourth of July fireworks at the St. Pete Pier. St. Petersburg gets its fireworks from Alabama-based Pyro Productions. Co-owner Charles McKinley said his company charged all customers a 5% fee to cover the small increase in tariffs while taking a hit on the rest of the cost. 'We're not really concerned for this year. We are very concerned next year,' McKinley said. 'You're going to find a lot of fireworks companies are not going to want to sign contracts not knowing the state of the industry and how much we're going to be paying for fireworks." St. Petersburg voted in April to extend its contract through the end of 2026. To prepare, McKinley said he took a gamble and purchased four containers with 1,500 boxes each for 2026. Those are due to arrive in September. 'One day it's a tariff and it's at 150%, and the next day it's at 35, what's it going to be tomorrow?' he said. 'That really hinders our ability to give a fair price to our customers. We are very hopeful the administration will figure this out.' The city of Tampa is taking a break from privately raising donations to fund its 'Boom by the Bay' fireworks show, but will hold a fireworks show next year, said communications director Adam Smith. The city is leaving this year's fireworks to private operators at Sparkman Wharf and Armature Works, he said. Treasure Island approved a three-year contract with its fireworks supplier last year, said assistant parks and recreation director Mike Baker. Largo issues a bid for fireworks every year. Kara Piehl, Largo's special events coordinator, says the price has gone up every year since many companies went out of business during the coronavirus pandemic. 'I am nervous about how much it's going to be next year,' Piehl said. 'Just because I know it's a hard business and everyone wants a beautiful show. We want to make sure it's beneficial for everybody, too.' Retail customers are spooked by tariffs, too, said Nathan Kott, who handles products and operations for Galaxy Fireworks in Tampa. He said some customers have bought their fireworks earlier and are stockpiling. 'I think every single person pretty much that comes in says something about it,' he said. Kott said he and others in the fireworks industry, including the American Pyrotechnics Association and the National Fireworks Association, have sent letters to Trump for an exemption. Fireworks, he explained, are dangerous to manufacture and the cost of producing them in the U.S. 'would be astronomical.' 'I understand to a point. He's trying to get more production in the U.S.,' Kott said. 'I think it would be sustainable for 25-26% (tariff), but you go much higher than that, you start pricing it out.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs to increase price of fireworks, public firework displays
This is the time of the year when businesses begin to explode for fireworks sellers in metro Atlanta. However, due to the tariffs imposed on China, the world's biggest manufacturer of fireworks, retailers in Atlanta expect their costs will go up, and the prices consumers will pay for fireworks. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I don't think they're going to increase tenfold or anything like that. You might see a marginal increase across the board," said Sky King Fireworks Regional Manager Greg Cook. Cook says his company runs three fireworks stores in metro Atlanta. Most of the inventory he has was delivered back in January and is not subject to the current 145% tariff on goods imported from China. He estimates the price of what he has in stock will only rise a few percent. 'I can't really say it's going to increase beyond 10 to 15%. There are a few containers on the water that we are taking a look at. Some pending orders could be cancelled,' said Cook. TRENDING STORIES: 5 arrested after dead goats, bunny, ferret, nearly 2 dozen live animals found at north GA home East Point police respond to a noise complaint. But a black bookbag led to a suspect's arrest Atlanta HVAC technician among 19 arrested in 'child predator' operation The cost of public firework displays is also expected to rise, according to those who stage displays for cities in Georgia. 'We have raised our prices to our clients to offset the cost of product that is currently coming in from China, or has already landed from China with tariffs on it,' said Pyro Productions co-founder Charles McKinley. McKinley told Channel 2's Tom Regan his company stages firework displays in 40 cities in towns in Georgia. They include Woodstock, Newnan and prior fireworks shows at Centennial Olympic Park. He says that for this Fourth of July, costs will increase by around 5%. 'Most of our customers don't want to back off the amount of shells in their shows. They may want to seek private funding (to cover added costs), which some of our clients are doing,' said McKinley. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] McKinley says he has not heard of any municipality cancelling or compromising displays because of additional costs. He says fireworks provided are more worried about what will happen next year, the 250th anniversary of America. 'Next year, we don't want America to go dark. Many fireworks containers shipped out of China have been halted because me and others can't afford to bring products in at those prices,' said McKinley. The fireworks industry in the United States is asking the Trump administration to exempt its imports from tariffs or reduce the amount.
