The US Independence Day fireworks are in trouble. According to multiple US media reports, fireworks prices may soar this year, and supplies may tighten further due to additional tariffs imposed by the US government. Nearly all rockets, sparklers, and fountains used for past Independence Day celebrations in the US came from China. The US fireworks industry warns that without tariff relief, not only will the celebration costs for Independence Day this year significantly increase, but even the US 250th birthday celebration in 2026 could be “in jeopardy.”
Fireworks account for only a tiny fraction of the enormous volume of goods traded annually between China and the US, yet they are closely tied to people’s everyday lives and to major political events like the Independence Day – truly a small detail that reflects a bigger picture.
China is the birthplace of fireworks and the world’s largest producer and exporter of them. 99 percent of consumer fireworks and 90 percent of professional display fireworks used in the US come from China. As Americans themselves say, “Almost everything in America that whooshes or hisses comes from China.” And it’s not just the US – from Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks to the closing ceremony of the Qatar World Cup, countless major celebrations worldwide rely on Chinese fireworks, which have brought joy, anticipation, and heartfelt emotion to countless people around the world.
Despite some American politicians repeatedly pushing for “decoupling” from China, the reality shows that even when it comes to a single firework, “decoupling” is simply impossible. Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association Fireworks said that the US doesn’t have the raw materials, the gunpowder, and all of the necessary chemicals, and even if someone wanted to start, they would have to import all of the chemicals. This is not a loss for the US, but rather an outcome of the two countries’ complementary strengths within the global trade system. From children’s toys to gears essential for machinery to corn and soybeans, the nutrients that China-US trade provides have deeply penetrated the “capillaries” of both economies’ production and daily life.
China is the US second-largest source of imports. Chinese goods fill American shelves, help keep inflation low, and bring substantial benefits to American households. China is also the US third-largest export market – US exports of soybeans, cotton, and integrated circuits to China account for about 50 percent, 30 percent, and 17 percent respectively of total US exports in those categories, while coal, liquefied petroleum gas, and medical equipment each account for around 10 percent, directly supporting over 860,000 American jobs. These figures are not just cold statistics. Currently, the US fireworks industry is taking advantage of the China-US trade negotiation window to “rush imports,” which reflects the deeply intertwined nature of China-US relations – a connection rooted not only in economic logic but also in the will of the people.
This trend demonstrates that China’s manufacturing advantage cannot simply be offset by imposing tariffs, and that the economic complementarity and cultural integration between China and the US cannot be severed through political maneuvering. Some politicians in Washington are attempting to suppress China across various domains, creating barriers to China-US exchanges under the guise of “protecting American interests.” In reality, they are undermining the real interests and genuine needs of the American public with their own hands.
Recently, a US blogger’s viral video of trying to make a DIY grill brush without using any Chinese products ended in failure. In today’s era of increasingly specialized global supply chains, the path of protectionism is not feasible. No country can, or needs to, produce everything it requires domestically. A recent report by US media on America’s outdoor goods manufacturing confirmed that the government’s tariff policy aimed at “bringing manufacturing back” has had the opposite effect, even forcing US companies to consider relocating their businesses to China. According to a report by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation this year, despite tariffs and other policy impacts, most US companies surveyed still hope to maintain ties with China, thanks to China’s market size, its well-developed network connecting suppliers and manufacturers, and its skilled workforce.
Recently, the Chinese and US sides have further confirmed the details of the framework of implementing Geneva trade talks consensus. China will review and approve compliant export applications for controlled items in accordance with the law and regulations, while the US will correspondingly cancel a series of restrictive measures taken against China. This marks a step toward easing bilateral trade tensions. However, a stronger message from the business communities of both countries is that uncertainty poses as great a threat as high tariffs. They are calling for a more stable and long-term outlook for bilateral trade. Achieving this requires the US to meet China halfway, earnestly implementing the important consensus and instructions reached during the June 5 phone call between the two heads of state. It is essential to make full use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanisms, eliminate various disruptions and sabotage, and steer bilateral economic cooperation back onto a path of healthy and stable development. TET
