The economic repercussions of former President Donald Trump’s trade policies are becoming more visible within the musical instrument industry, as tariffs on Chinese imports continue to drive prices upward across the United States. One of the latest examples is Sonicware’s CyDrums drum machine, which has seen its U.S. retail price jump dramatically from $399 to $978 due to new import duties.
Sonicware, a Japanese manufacturer known for its innovative electronic instruments, including the popular Liven series, announced the pricing update through a notice on its website. The company explained that due to recent changes in U.S. customs regulations, a 145% tariff is now being imposed on China-made goods. As a result, the CyDrums drum machine, which is produced in China, will now incur more than $578 in additional import charges for U.S. buyers beginning next month. Sonicware advised customers to make their purchases before the end of the current month in order to avoid the increased costs.
While Sonicware’s CyDrums has been considered an affordable and accessible option for musicians, the new price point puts it far outside the reach of many budget-conscious users in the United States. This drastic change highlights how protectionist trade measures are having a direct impact on end consumers and small-scale manufacturers alike.
Despite a temporary 90-day reduction in some of the broader tariff measures announced earlier this month — which lowered duties to 10% on imports from countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom — the tariff rate on most Chinese imports remains firmly set at 145%. This high duty continues to pose a significant threat to sectors like the music gear industry, which relies heavily on Chinese-made products and components.
Industry insiders have been warning about these consequences for months. In March, major music retailer Sweetwater predicted price increases of up to 40% across all categories of musical instruments due to the tariffs. This prediction is already becoming reality. Last month, several Behringer synthesizers saw price hikes on Sweetwater’s website, with the new Wave synth rising from $599 to $689 and the Poly D jumping from $569 to $629 — a clear indication of the broader trend now impacting the market.
With Chinese-made instruments and parts playing a central role in the U.S. music equipment ecosystem, these price hikes could continue to ripple throughout the industry, affecting manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.
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