The public comment period on a 50% tariff increase on aluminum and steel ends tomorrow, October 21, 2025. Initially, it looked like the bike industry wouldn’t be impacted by these new increases.
However, that all changed a handful of weeks ago, with the proposed inclusion coming from an unlikely source. There are 95 requests for inclusion of derivative products to be included in the Section 232 aluminum and steel tariffs. Two of those requests, filed by Guardian Bikes and the Aluminum Extruders Council, asked to include bicycles, frames, and e-bikes to the mix.
Trade Expansion Act of 1962
Signed into U.S. law by then-President John F. Kennedy, the Trade Expansion Act’s main purpose was to give the president greater authority in trade agreement negotiations. Initially, the thought seemed to be to reduce tariffs and increase international trade.
But it also gave the president the authority to increase tariffs, especially in matters of national security. And this is precisely what Section 232 of the Act deals with.
Since 1962, there have been roughly 30 Section 232 investigations. Of those investigations, about half determined that the imports did not threaten national security, while the other half did. And, as a result, the standing president took action, such as increasing tariffs, on nine occasions.
This is spread out over more than 60 years, with some decades of history never seeing the article invoked. However, Section 232 has seen more use during the past and current Trump administration.
In 2018, we saw a 25% tariff increase on imported aluminum and steel products. Now, the proposed increase is 50%.
But Guardian Bikes Wants Increased Tariffs?
Along with the Aluminum Extruders Council, Guardian Bikes requested to have bicycles, frames, and e-bikes included in the tariff increase. If the inclusion requests are granted, these products will see a 50% tariff increase regardless of the country they are coming from.
Guardian’s reason? You can download and read the entirety of Guardian’s inclusion request here. A notable standout is the paragraph where the kid’s bike manufacturer discusses its upcoming manufacturing plant in Indiana.
“Earlier this year, Guardian Bikes announced a $19 million financing with JP Morgan Chase to launch the first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States….The new facility—located in Guardian’s advanced manufacturing hub in Seymour, Indiana — represents a pivotal step in reshoring a critical industry that was once a cornerstone of American manufacturing but has been nearly entirely offshored for decades.”
While Guardian’s desire to bring manufacturing back to the United States is admirable, People for Bikes says it will be at the expense of others in the industry and the American consumer. Perhaps most importantly, there is currently legislation to bring bicycle manufacturing back to the States. People for Bikes sees this tariff hike as a major wrench thrown into what is already being worked on.
People for Bikes has closely followed these events and is responsible for reporting on much of the information we now know. They have written arguments against each point Guardian Bikes and the Aluminum Extruders Council have made, which they have dubbed “Talking Points.”
People for Bikes is asking organizations to please share and submit their opinion during the public comment period that ends tomorrow. They have made commenting very easy, including templates and talking points for download. Check out their special website here for all the information needed to comment on both requests for inclusion.
