By Charles Pekow — The Trump administration is still trying to impose tariffs that could limit the supply of bicycles and parts or increase their prices.
The U.S. Trade Representative reported in June that 60 countries either have not established or have not adequately enforced rules regarding forced labor. Therefore, USTR wants to retaliate by imposing Section 301 tariffs of between 10 and 12.5 percent on goods from those countries.
The nations include “every major bicycle industry source country,” according to PeopleForBikes.
Near the end of a public comment period, four American bicycle makers issued similar letters. Kona Bicycle Company of Ferndale, Wash., for instance, asked USTR to exclude bicycle parts. Given existing tariffs, “it is not appropriate to impose additional Section 301 duties on these goods,” company co-founder Jake Heilbron wrote.
“Several countries that are important sources of bicycle products, including the EU, Taiwan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, have taken these additional steps to reduce the use of forced labor in their countries. We support lower Section 301 tariff rates for countries that have taken these actions, and would encourage USTR to adopt a rate of less than 10%,” Heilbron wrote.
The domestic makers complained only about tariffs on parts, not on bicycles themselves, which could compete with their products.
Details: USTR’s June 2026 announcement, “USTR Makes Findings and Proposes Action in 60 Section 301 Investigations Relating to Failures to Take Action on Trade in Forced Labor Goods,” and Kona’s public comment at https://comments.ustr.gov/s/commentdetails?rid=84VTY8DQ4X.
