Fireworks, a hallmark of July 4th celebrations, are feeling the impact of President Trump's trade war with China. CBS News correspondent Ian Lee spoke to a Missouri fireworks distributor about the issue.

The US fireworks industry is experiencing significant uncertainty as tariffs on Chinese imports, imposed as part of President Trump's trade policy, threaten to increase costs for distributors and consumers. Nearly all consumer fireworks in the United States are sourced from China, making the sector especially vulnerable to changes in trade policy.

A distributor in Missouri explained that even small tariff increases can reduce profit margins, with some costs being passed on to customers. The American Pyrotechnics Association has warned that the current 30% tariff could force small businesses to close and is seeking an exemption from the administration. Customers are also considering buying ahead due to the unpredictability of future prices.

Tariffs could spell trouble for fireworks shows

We see you out there packing up your lawn chair, maybe getting the potato salad in the container. We know that millions of you are going to gather to watch the dazzling sights of fireworks for the Fourth of July. But the tradition of pyrotechnics relies almost exclusively on China, which, by the way, makes nearly all of the fireworks that you see on the shelves in the United States. CBS News correspondent Ian Lee shows you what it means because of the uncertainty over President Trump's tariffs. COVEX Fireworks in St. Joseph, Missouri, is a blast of patriotic pyrotechnics. Growing up, Sydney Hook saw her family's one stand expand into three. I just love that it brings people together, you know, it's such a fun time for everyone. But looking around, you'll notice every potential bang, pop of color, and flash of light in this star-spangled spectacle is made in China, even the rockets from Saturn. How do tariffs impact you when 100% of your product comes from China? I'd say it directly impacts us. Everything is coming straight there. It seems like the worst thing at this moment is just the uncertainty. Yeah, I think it's just hard to plan. China makes 99% of all consumer fireworks sold in the United States. With hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory, even the slightest increase bites into Hook's margins. That cost will go onto the customer. There will be some things that, you know, we will take, I wouldn't say a loss, but a shorter markup on. So you're forced to eat some of the tariff. Yes, we are forced to eat some of it. COVEX says they always want to give folks the most bang for their buck. Their fireworks arrived after President Trump dropped the tariff from 145 to 30%. Others weren't so lucky. The American Pyrotechnics Association warns the current tariff at 30% threatens to shutter small fireworks businesses nationwide and is urging the Trump administration to consider an exemption. You can't have the Fourth of July without fireworks. With all the uncertainty, some customers, like Christopher Carter, are thinking about next year. With tariffs, you never know. So I would just say if you have the finances, buy everything you want to have for the future now. I'm Ian Lee in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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