3 days ago
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.'
