Mid-Missouri Lions Club beats fireworks tariffs

(Missourinet) – More planning than usual went into Fourth of July celebrations in Missouri communities this year thanks to tariffs. According to the National Fireworks Association, around 99% of fireworks are made in China.

In April, President Trump announced a 145% tariff on goods imported from China. Susan Paden, Treasurer of the Mexico, Missouri Noon Lions Club says her organization has been putting on a fireworks display for the community for eight years. Paden says they ordered fireworks from a company in Buffalo, Missouri.

“This year, when I first sent in the order, we had to put down a deposit in January and at that time we put down 1/2 of our budget. They texted me at the end of March and gave me about 10 days to get them the rest of our quote. They said we wouldn’t get hit with the tariff tax because they had some in stock already. If they had to reorder, it could be up to 137% increase.”

According to U.S. trade data, Missouri imported $85.7 million worth of fireworks in 2024, the most per capita in the country at $13.84 per resident.