Fireworks Industry Donated To Trump's July 4 As It Fought His Tariff Threats

Source: TPM

The two companies donating explosives and labor to President Donald Trump’s VIP-ridden July Fourth Spectacular are giants in the business: Fireworks by Grucci, known for design and production, holds Guinness records for largest aerial fireworks shell and largest fireworks display. And Phantom Fireworks, a supplier, is represented on store shelves in 47 states every Independence Day, according to its website.

Both companies also have a problem: Trump’s tariffs threats. Their donations for the July 4 show came as their industry is fighting to prevent Trump from following through on one threat in particular.

In Trump’s ongoing trade war with China, he’s so far held off on a threatened 25% tariff on a long list of imported Chinese goods that includes fireworks. China supplies the vast majority of fireworks used in the United States.

Phantom Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan, who’s donating a half-million dollars of fireworks for the show, visited the White House in late May to argue against the tariffs. He told local Youngstown, Ohio outlet The Vindicator that the meetings came at the White House’s request. He also told the paper he’d personally spoken to the President as well as other “high-level officials.” The meeting came around the same time Trump’s July 4 show was taking shape.

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