Hefty tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump are already wreaking havoc, as manufacturer Sonicware now warns that the price of its CyDrums drum machine will likely jump to over $900 from a much smaller price tag of $399 for customers based in the States.
President Trump has already placed a 10 per cent universal tariff on the import of goods from foreign countries, but even higher rates – which he calls “reciprocal tariffs” – could be put in place for further specified countries by July. There is currently a 90-day pause on these higher tariffs for all countries except China, which is facing a whopping 145 per cent duty.
In a new notice on its website, Sonicware writes, “Due to new US customs regulations, a 145 per cent duty will apply to China-made products, including this item. This $399 item will incur over $578 in additional import charges starting next month. We recommend ordering within this month to avoid the new duties.”
A similar notice is also placed under many of its other products, including its SmplTrek portable sampler, which will face an extra $622 in import charges. Sonicware is based in Japan but some of its products are manufactured or use parts from China, hence the additional charges.
Recently, NAMM president and CEO John Mlynczak urged the Trump administration to “exempt musical instruments and accessories, along with materials used to manufacture musical products” from the tariffs.
In a statement he said, “The negative effects of these measures threaten the economic and cultural impact of US-made musical instruments and accessories, as well as cause our US music products industry to lose its global competitive advantage in producing high-quality products, especially at professional and entry levels.
“The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs announced last week via executive order is a welcomed measure, but the continued unpredictability of these tariff actions makes it difficult for companies to react in a meaningful way… The effects of these sudden and unpredictable tariff actions will have a long-term effect on musicians worldwide.”
Check out more from Sonicware. We will continue to report on any tariff updates that will impact the music industry.
The post “We recommend ordering within this month”: Sonicware warns price of its CyDrums drum machine will rise from $399 to over $900 due to Trump tariffs appeared first on MusicTech.
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.