How will Trump’s tariffs affect the music gear and vinyl pressing industries? A Billboard journalist breaks it downA reporter has broken down how tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump could impact the music industry, revealing how sectors such as the musical instrument business or the vinyl industry will be impacted.
Most popular instrument brands sell gear that has been manufactured (or houses parts) made in places such as Mexico, China, or Canada. Now that Trump has imposed hefty tariffs on goods entering the United States from across these markets, music industry figures are growing concerned for the future of their businesses.

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What are Trump’s tariffs? 
A tariff is a tax imposed on the import of goods from foreign countries. Per The Guardian, as of 5 April, all imported goods arriving in the US are subject to a 10 percent universal tariff. On 9 April, certain countries will face even higher tariff rates, which are deemed “reciprocal tariffs” by Trump, in retaliation for tariffs the countries have placed on American exports.
Asian countries face some of the highest tariffs of all, and EU exports are looking at a 20 percent tariff. Canada and Mexico, meanwhile, are facing a proposed 25 percent tariff, and Trump has even threatened to place an additional whopping 50 percent tax on goods from China.
What do they mean for music?
Billboard’s Kristin Robinson has shared an explainer video on her TikTok. In it, she breaks down the effects on different music markets, starting with musical instruments, off the back of an interview with NAMM president, John Mlynczak.
Mlynczak has said that these tariffs are a problem for cheaper guitar models, which are mostly made in Mexico or overseas countries. An impact on their trade could have a knock-on effect on the wider guitar market too, as they act as a gateway for buyers to work their way up to more highly priced models in the future.
“When you start raising the price everywhere of what it costs to import goods, it’s challenging, and it really threatens everything we’ve learned to do as an industry,” said Mlynczak.
“The reason why we have companies that can afford to build their highest-end products in the U.S. is because they have the revenue from the mid-to-entry level products from overseas. Our supply chain is deeply interconnected. It’s not like an instrument is solely made in China or Mexico. What happens is you have certain components that are made really well in China that are then imported for final assembly. Or you have a factory in Mexico that has a specialty in making certain components that are imported. Then they are assembled in the U.S. This happens because this work is highly specialized.”
Robinson also shares that bands have faced difficulty bringing unsold merchandise back to the US from international tours, as these also face tariffs, unless the artist is selling only American-made merch. Vinyl prices are likely going to rise too, as the materials used to make them are from overseas countries, including PVC and their paper sleeves.
You can watch Robinson’s full video below:

@wordsbykristin
#greenscreen how Trump tariffs will affect the music business #musicbusiness
♬ original sound – Kristin Robinson – Billboard

What else do we know? 
Another manufacturer that has also shared fears over the tariffs is Electro-Harmonix. Mike Matthews, founder of the pedal brand, recently told Bloomberg that EHX has an inventory that will help it “ride out” the storm, but the future of the company is looking rather uncertain. EHX uses components that are manufactured internationally, though it builds the pedals in the US.
Matthews said he has ruled out the idea of bringing circuit board manufacturing into the US as it would be “a really huge investment”. Further to this, he also revealed, “I am open and have been in the process of trying to sell the company. It’s a difficult time.”
For further updates, check back on MusicTech. We will keep you updated with any further details on the tariffs.
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