Latest news with #BobHamilton
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's China tariffs may threaten the future of America's fireworks festivals
The Trump administration's trade war with China is already causing headaches for companies supplying fireworks for today's July 4 celebrations, and it may get worse in 2026, when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. About 99 percent of the fireworks used in the U.S. come from China and producers and importers have struggled to navigate a rapidly changing tariff rate that has jumped from 10 percent to 145 percent, and to a current level of 30 percent, which expires in August. Bob Hamilton, the owner of a seasonal fireworks business in Indiana, locked in much of his supply in April, before Trump's 145 percent tariff rate took effect. "By the time we figured out how to navigate this tariff thing for this year, it was a little bit too late in the game," he told Business Insider. Similar strain could be felt in the fireworks manufacturing hub of Hunan, China, which makes about 60 percent of the world's fireworks, and is known as the historical birthplace of fireworks. Wendy Tang, owner of Pyroshine Fireworks in Liuyang, told NBC News that springtime is normally the boom season for U.S. orders for fireworks, but many regular producers had a 'really hard time' gauging how much product to produce given the fluctuating tariff rate. 'In the morning, it's 100 percent. But in the afternoon, it's like 200 percent,' she said. Industry figures in the U.S., who had lobbied Trump for an exemption to the tariffs, are warning that in 2026 these problems could be further magnified. Fireworks are a low-margin business, and 2026 is expected to bring unusually high demand, given the expected celebrations around the semiquincentennial -- the 250th anniversary of the country's Declaration of Independence. This tension, combined with ongoing supply chain disruptions including scaled-back production in China, packed warehouses, and competition for shipping container space, all could have an impact on 2026 fireworks displays. 'It's really the next year that's worrying us with the manufacturing and what tariffs will do,' said Stacy Schneitter-Blake, president of the National Fireworks Association, told The New York Times. The White House has defended the tariffs, telling the NYT in a statement that 'real prosperity and patriotism isn't celebrating the independence of our country with cheap foreign-made firecrackers and trinkets.' The industry may get some relief if Trump leans into his well-documented love of fireworks. The Republican saw his name spelled out in fireworks above the 2020 Republican National Convention, and recently helped put on a fireworks show above the National Mall in Washington as part of an Army parade that fell on his birthday. During a first-term trade war with China, fireworks were exempt.
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump's China tariffs may threaten the future of America's fireworks festivals
The Trump administration 's trade war with China is already causing headaches for companies supplying fireworks for today's July 4 celebrations, and it may get worse in 2026, when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. About 99 percent of the fireworks used in the U.S. come from China and producers and importers have struggled to navigate a rapidly changing tariff rate that has jumped from 10 percent to 145 percent, and to a current level of 30 percent, which expires in August. Bob Hamilton, the owner of a seasonal fireworks business in Indiana, locked in much of his supply in April, before Trump's 145 percent tariff rate took effect. "By the time we figured out how to navigate this tariff thing for this year, it was a little bit too late in the game," he told Business Insider. Similar strain could be felt in the fireworks manufacturing hub of Hunan, China, which makes about 60 percent of the world's fireworks, and is known as the historical birthplace of fireworks. Wendy Tang, owner of Pyroshine Fireworks in Liuyang, told NBC News that springtime is normally the boom season for U.S. orders for fireworks, but many regular producers had a 'really hard time' gauging how much product to produce given the fluctuating tariff rate. 'In the morning, it's 100 percent. But in the afternoon, it's like 200 percent,' she said. Industry figures in the U.S., who had lobbied Trump for an exemption to the tariffs, are warning that in 2026 these problems could be further magnified. Fireworks are a low-margin business, and 2026 is expected to bring unusually high demand, given the expected celebrations around the semiquincentennial -- the 250th anniversary of the country's Declaration of Independence. This tension, combined with ongoing supply chain disruptions including scaled-back production in China, packed warehouses, and competition for shipping container space, all could have an impact on 2026 fireworks displays. 'It's really the next year that's worrying us with the manufacturing and what tariffs will do,' said Stacy Schneitter-Blake, president of the National Fireworks Association, told The New York Times. The White House has defended the tariffs, telling the NYT in a statement that 'real prosperity and patriotism isn't celebrating the independence of our country with cheap foreign-made firecrackers and trinkets.' The industry may get some relief if Trump leans into his well-documented love of fireworks. The Republican saw his name spelled out in fireworks above the 2020 Republican National Convention, and recently helped put on a fireworks show above the National Mall in Washington as part of an Army parade that fell on his birthday.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to cut 280 permanent roles
The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin said in a message to staff Thursday that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. The message said the CRA will run voluntary departure programs over the coming months. The Government of Canada website says that permanent employees affected by workforce adjustment processes will receive a 'reasonable job offer' when possible for another position in the public service. However, the message says that won't be the case this time around. 'Unlike previous (workforce adjustments), due to fiscal constraints, guaranteed reasonable job offers cannot be provided to most of the employees affected,' it says. Story continues below advertisement Affected employees have already been contacted by management. 1:42 Lower energy costs drive down inflation, but grocery prices stay high The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It also says that while the agency's priorities and strategic direction remain unchanged, it's clear that adjustments to the workforce will change how it delivers on them. 'We need to reassess the way we work, which will involve reconsidering the number of projects we undertake, streamlining processes and governance, and pursuing innovation to further optimize our work and the services we offer,' the message reads. 'It is likely that some internal services will be impacted, with some services being eliminated entirely.' Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. More than 3,000 jobs at the agency have been cut since 2024, the union says, including debt collector and call centre positions. Story continues below advertisement CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. As of 2024, 59,155 people worked at the Canada Revenue Agency, up from 45,019 in 2020, when the pandemic hit. In 2019, the size of the CRA was 43,908. 2:12 Finance minister suggests Liberals will not table 2025 annual budget In light of the new cuts, the Union of Taxation Employees says it's demanding accountability from the Government of Canada and calling for 'an immediate moratorium' on job cuts at CRA. 'With every position eliminated, processing delays grow longer, calls go unanswered, files pile up, and citizens are left behind in uncertainty,' union head Marc Brière said in a news release Friday. 'Those who remain are being pushed beyond their limits—expected to do more with less, while working under mounting stress and growing job insecurity.' Story continues below advertisement The federal public service has shrunk for the first time in a decade, Treasury Board Secretariat data shows. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of government employees has dropped by 10,000, from 367,772 to 357,965. In 2015, there were 258,979 people working for the federal government, with that number increasing until now.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
CRA cutting up to 280 permanent jobs in response to fiscal constraints
Canada Revenue Agency signage is shown in Ottawa on Friday, June 28, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin say in a message to staff today that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025. Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
CRA cutting up to 280 permanent jobs in response to fiscal constraints
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin say in a message to staff today that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
