US Bicycle Prices Could Surge by 50%, Industry Warns
14 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs are significantly impacting industries reliant on Chinese manufacturing, potentially increasing bicycle prices in the United States by as much as 50%.
According to The Financial Times, Arnold Kamler, chairman of Kent International—one of America's largest bike manufacturers—warns that maintaining current tariff levels could lead to industry-wide price increases of up to 50%. American brands sell approximately 12.5 million bicycles annually, with roughly 90% imported from abroad; China is the primary source, followed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The U.S. bicycle market has an approximate value of $6 billion. Kent International’s adult bicycles are priced between $149.99 and $524.99, having already increased by around 12% due to Trump's initial tariffs on China (at a rate of 20%). Although the company moved some assembly operations back from Asia to America in 2014, most parts still require importing from China.
Kamler predicts that last week’s additional U.S. tariff hike against Chinese goods (34%) will force another price increase of about 25%. He further warns that if Trump imposes a planned 50% duty on April 7th, “our bikes could become too expensive to attract customers.”
Kent International anticipates sales of only around one million bicycles in the United States this year—its worst performance in over ten years—primarily due to tariffs. Kamler states: "Our prices are now really high and causing a continuous decline in sales despite creating hundreds of jobs, yet our situation is not being considered by government.”
Taiwan’s Giant Manufacturing (one of America's largest suppliers) also warns that these tariffs will negatively impact the industry; if they continue, costs would need to be passed on through higher pricing.
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According to The Financial Times, Arnold Kamler, chairman of Kent International—one of America's largest bike manufacturers—warns that maintaining current tariff levels could lead to industry-wide price increases of up to 50%. American brands sell approximately 12.5 million bicycles annually, with roughly 90% imported from abroad; China is the primary source, followed by Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The U.S. bicycle market has an approximate value of $6 billion. Kent International’s adult bicycles are priced between $149.99 and $524.99, having already increased by around 12% due to Trump's initial tariffs on China (at a rate of 20%). Although the company moved some assembly operations back from Asia to America in 2014, most parts still require importing from China.
Kamler predicts that last week’s additional U.S. tariff hike against Chinese goods (34%) will force another price increase of about 25%. He further warns that if Trump imposes a planned 50% duty on April 7th, “our bikes could become too expensive to attract customers.”
Kent International anticipates sales of only around one million bicycles in the United States this year—its worst performance in over ten years—primarily due to tariffs. Kamler states: "Our prices are now really high and causing a continuous decline in sales despite creating hundreds of jobs, yet our situation is not being considered by government.”
Taiwan’s Giant Manufacturing (one of America's largest suppliers) also warns that these tariffs will negatively impact the industry; if they continue, costs would need to be passed on through higher pricing.
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