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 Trumps 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: Trumps 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 Trumps ongoing trade war with China, hes 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, whos 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 Houses request. He also told the paper hed personally spoken to the President as well as other high-level officials. The meeting came around the same time Trumps July 4 show was taking shape.
Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/fireworks-july-4-trump-tariffs-trade-war-china
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)They should just try to buy him off.
Vinca
(50,170 posts)This is the second post I've managed to clean up today from what's really rolling around my mind. LOL. Trying to be civil is a challenge in the era of Trump.
JohnnyRingo
(18,581 posts)Phantom is a local company here in Youngstown and it was on the WKBN news at noon today. The place is itself a potential bomb. Indeed, the warehouse in what used to be the local Delphi plant is the largest stockpile of fireworks in North America. Maybe not this week though.
Bengus81
(6,907 posts)And let everyone else just pay more and more.
wsbradshaw
(41 posts)Not sure but aren't all of Phantom's fireworks made in China?
jpak
(41,742 posts)I think that covers it.