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