Moog Music Inc have come out against the recently announced 25% tariffs on Chinese electrical circuit boards and components by US President Trump.

All components used by US companies will be 25% more expensive than for those companies who don't reside in the US, which will dramatically increase the cost of building a synthesizer, and as well as putting companies like Moog at a competitive disadvantage, could threaten jobs amongst US synth makers. It could, indeed, force small and large US-based synth manufacturers to relocate abroad, or have all manufacturing completed directly in China.

Imagine a world without new Moog synths (or re-issued ones)?

The 25% US import tax on Chinese components is due to take effect on July 6, 2018, and will not affect a completed synthesizer made in China (like the Behringer Neutron or Model D).

Here's what Moog say in an open letter and call for support via their website:

Dear Moog Family,



We need your help.A U.S. tariff (import tax) on Chinese circuit boards and associated components is expected to take effect on July 6, 2018.



These tariffs will immediately and drastically increase the cost of building our instruments, and have the very real potential of forcing us to lay off workers and could (in a worst case scenario) require us to move some, if not all, of our manufacturing overseas.



There is one thing all of us can do together to try and stop this: Write to our elected officials.

You can view the full letter here.

The Moog Music Inc. family need your support.

Aproximately 50% of all components used in building a synthesizer by Moog are from China. It doesn't take a math expert to see that if these new tarrifs go through it'll be impossible for companies like Moog to compete on a level playing field with synth manufacturers based in Europe, or directly in China. It certainly threatens Moog Music Inc and other companies' employees in the short term, and the viability of manufacturing synths in the United States in the long term.