A coalition of top executives from the guitar industry has traveled to Washington, D.C., aiming to soften the potentially “devastating” impact of global tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
The delegation features a lineup of influential voices in the music products industry, including NAMM CEO John Mlynczak, John McElroy of Martin Guitars, Taylor Guitars’ Director of Sustainability Scott Paul, Erin Salmon of Gibson, PRS Guitars’ Director of Supply Chain Meghan Efland, and Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of Product at Fender.
The group has already met with Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty and plans to engage with additional lawmakers in the coming days as part of their ongoing advocacy efforts for the musical instruments sector.
These concerns come as tariffs on major exporters, including a striking 145% tariff on Chinese imports, have raised alarms across the industry. Guitar manufacturers—many of which rely on globally sourced components or overseas manufacturing—are particularly vulnerable to these economic measures.
The guitar industry, like many others in the musical instruments field, operates on a complex international supply chain. Some companies produce instruments abroad in countries affected by tariffs, while others assemble guitars in the U.S. using foreign parts, notably from China.
In a recent statement, NAMM CEO John Mlynczak warned that such tariffs could significantly undermine the industry’s long-term stability and global competitiveness.
“The negative effects of these measures threaten the economic and cultural impact of US-made musical instruments and accessories,” Mlynczak stated. “They also risk stripping the US music products industry of its competitive edge, particularly in producing high-quality instruments for professionals and entry-level musicians alike.”
He also emphasized that the rapidly escalating tariff exchanges between the U.S. and China are creating uncertainty and economic strain that could ripple throughout the global music community for years.
These sentiments echo those expressed earlier this year by Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews, who voiced serious concerns about his company’s ability to remain profitable under the weight of increasing tariffs.
“We’re gonna have to continue to buy our raw materials from overseas, even with the tariffs,” Matthews said. “Trump’s policy on tariffs will definitely bring very big companies into America for the manufacturing, but small and medium companies, their volume will not be big enough. I’ll have to scratch my chin to think about it – you know, can I still make a profit?”
The industry leaders’ trip to Washington marks a critical moment in the ongoing struggle to protect music makers, manufacturers, and consumers from the far-reaching effects of international trade policies.
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