John Mlynczak: “Tariffs won’t push beginners toward American-made instruments — they’ll push them out of music altogether”

NAMM President warns Washington about the future of the music industry

NAMM President John Mlynczak has delivered formal testimony in Washington, DC, addressing the growing impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs on the musical instrument industry. According to the head of the world’s leading music products association, the current tariff policy risks damaging not only manufacturers and retailers, but also music education and the future of the industry itself.

Mlynczak appeared before the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 Committee at the Capitol on May 8, representing NAMM and the more than 10,000 companies affiliated with the organization.

The NAMM President reiterated concerns he had already raised previously, noting that the “unpredictability and sudden implementation” of tariffs left businesses without enough time to adapt, restructure, or prepare for the economic consequences.

“Tariffs are creating an uneven playing field for American businesses and for the millions of students who depend on affordable access to musical instruments,” Mlynczak explained during his testimony.
“Our industry relies on a global supply chain that has developed over generations. Policies that increase costs without increasing domestic manufacturing capacity ultimately reduce participation in music education and weaken long-term U.S. competitiveness.”

Even manufacturers producing instruments and gear within the United States continue to rely heavily on imported parts and materials. Guitar builders, amplifier brands, and pedal manufacturers often source components internationally, meaning the effects of tariffs are being felt across nearly every segment of the industry.

Earlier this year, Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews publicly questioned whether the company could remain profitable under the current conditions. Meanwhile, EarthQuaker Devices warned about potential bankruptcy risks, while Morgan Amps stated that tariffs could raise the price of some amplifier heads by nearly $1,000.

According to Mlynczak, the U.S. music products industry currently represents approximately $9 billion of the global $19.5 billion market. However, the manufacturing ecosystem behind musical instruments depends on specialized materials, craftsmanship, and production networks that cannot simply be recreated domestically overnight.

The entry-level instrument category, he emphasized, has been hit especially hard. NAMM reports that imports of wind instruments dropped by 27% in 2025, while piano imports declined by 20%.

Mlynczak warned that reduced access to beginner instruments threatens the long-term sustainability of the broader American music ecosystem, including the future market for professional-grade U.S.-made instruments.

“With 44% of all global musical products being sold in the United States, there simply isn’t enough domestic manufacturing capacity to meet demand,” he stated.
“Many companies that build professional instruments in America also depend on overseas production for beginner and intermediate-level products. That’s how loyalty to American brands and retailers is created from a player’s very first instrument.”

He also stressed that tariffs will not redirect consumers toward entry-level instruments made in the United States.

“Tariffs will not shift purchases toward U.S.-made beginner instruments. Instead, they will price beginners out of the market entirely. That hurts American students, retailers, and manufacturers who depend on today’s beginners becoming tomorrow’s lifelong customers.”

NAMM was one of 151 associations and companies that traveled to Washington to provide in-person testimony during the hearings. Among the participating organizations was also the United Auto Workers Association.

As previously announced on March 17, the U.S. administration indicated that the current investigation could eventually lead to the reinstatement of tariff levels originally introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).