Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods now target bike tyres and inner tubes

Trump’s trade war against China was extended earlier in the week with the planned imposition of punitive tariffs on a further $200 billion of goods. The first round of tariffs targeted products such as aluminium and full e-bikes but this second round ropes in saddles, tyres and even inner tubes.

Bicycle Retailer reports that other goods targeted include cable casings for derailleurs and caliper brakes, rim strips, complete bicycles, frames, steel tubing, forks, wheel rims, wheel spokes, alloy hubs, three-speed hubs, two-speed hubs, freewheel sprockets, brakes and brake parts, pedals, cranksets and speedometers.

Katy Hartnett, director of government relations for lobbying group PeopleForBikes, said:

"PFB is working closely with allies in the bicycle industry, including the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, on how we should respond to make the case that these proposed tariffs are concerning and something we are going to be working to get dropped or eliminated."

She added: "We’ll be working with allies in the bicycle industry to make the case about why we believe this would be hard for the bicycle industry."

The US cycle industry is still reeling from the Trump administration’s earlier decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on e-bikes and e-bike motors. A public hearing on the tariffs is set for July 24th.  Trek’s general counsel Bob Burns will testify on behalf of the bicycle industry.