A new proposal by the Trump administration in the USA is set to place 25% tariffs on imports, parts and accessories on brass and wind musical instruments as part of a wider tariff setting on aluminium, steel and copper derivatives.

Published by the Department of Commerce from the Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, the notice action proposes to add to current tariff action on the metals.

The summary of the proposal states that the tariff will be placed on "brass-wind musical instruments and their parts and accessories" alongside products such as hydraulic engines, certain electric conductor cables, fire extinguishers, tanker trailers and floor safes.

Economic policy

Tariffs have formed part of President Trumps economic policy in his second term. It is argued that they boost domestic US manufacturing against what is seen as unfair global competition. The tariff is paid by companies bringing in the products from tariff-imposed counties and trading blocks such as the EU.

In February this year the US Supreme Court said that Trump has exceeded his authority with around $100bn since being refunded to companies affected. New tariffs at different rates and linked to 'national security' protections have since been issued.

Critics

However, critics of the specific issue over brass and wind instruments have questioned whether the imposition is a matter of 'national security' and would protect American manufacturing of such products.

In a news article on the Classic fm website, it was reported that that John Mlynczak, president and CEO of the National Association of Music Merchants had told the Washington Times that there was "no logical"reason as the amount of brass and cooper used was inconsequential." (certainly not for the production of left handed trumpets in the image that accompanied the story)

There just over 900 musical instrument manufactures in the USA — from piano makers to brass and woodwind.

The summary of the proposal states that the tariff will be placed on "brass-wind musical instruments and their parts and accessories" alongside products such as hydraulic engines, certain electric conductor cables and others4BR

Drop in demand

Tariffs have resulted in a drop in demand in the domestic market in the USA. Imports have dropped 9% since last year and 20% from 2024, with brass instruments down by as much as 27% compared to 2025.

According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), the tariff rate on all musical instruments reached 16.6% in the first quarter of 2026 — around three times the rate in 2024.

Plant closure

It was recently announced that Conn Selmer was closing its manufacturing plant in Ohio, shifting the production of tubas, sousaphones and some French horns to China as well as to its other plant in Indiana.

The company is owned by Trump supporting billionaire John Paulson, who once told the CNBC news outlet that "we need to protect American jobs and protect American manufacturing."