Trump’s tariffs are choking small US manufacturers – even those making music magic

‘The tariffs are of no benefit to manufacturing in America,’ says Julie Robbins, of EarthQuaker. Photograph: rudi1976/Alamy

Julie Robbins and her team at EarthQuaker Devices have made guitar pedals for some of the biggest names in the world of music. The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, PJ Harvey and others have sought out the company’s bespoke, handmade pedals for their unique sounds and designs. Its most popular model, Plumes, has sold over 67,000 devices.

Their made-from-scratch effects pedals use more than 1,000 components, many which are imported directly from countries such as China and Vietnam or are bought from companies that bring them in from overseas.