Citing “severe competition” and market “flooding” by China, American firms have successfully petitioned the US government to consider new tariffs on 700 product lines. The requests, submitted to the Commerce Department, cover goods from bicycles to commercial baking pans.
Guardian Bikes, in its 11-page plea, blamed China for the 11 million bike imports in 2024 that have “lost” the US industry. Similarly, kitchenware makers American Pan and Chicago Metallic complained of an “unfair” advantage from low-cost Chinese cookware.
While these complaints focus on China, the “steel derivative” tariffs would be applied globally. This means exporters in allied nations, such as the UK’s Brompton or Italy’s Pinarello, would be equally affected. This has caused alarm among US allies.
The mechanism is also a source of conflict. European exporters say these new “derivative” tariffs, which would be added on top of existing baseline rates (10% for UK, 25% for EU), “make a mockery” of their trade agreements.
This is the second such consultation, and the first one in August had a near-100% success rate for the 407 items proposed. This precedent has fueled the new, larger round of requests, which were submitted before an October 21 deadline.
Given the high approval rate, a decision to add most of the 700 items is expected in December or January. This signals an “expansionist” and unpredictable US trade policy, creating significant friction with global partners.
