Steel Wheels, Mattress Springs, and Bikes Targeted in New Tariff Push

A vast new array of products, including steel wheels for trucks, mattress springs, and bicycles, are being targeted in a new US tariff push. American companies have asked the Commerce Department to add these and 700 other items to the “steel derivatives” list, fearing “unfair” foreign competition.
The requests, which were submitted before an October 21 deadline, also include 200 different types of industrial machines and commercial baking pans. The companies, like Guardian Bikes and American Pan, often cite “severe competition” from China as the reason for their request.
However, the tariffs would be applied globally, hitting European exporters hard. High-performance bike brands from Italy (Pinarello, Bianchi) and the UK (Brompton) would be caught in the crossfire, facing new import duties. This has industry leaders across Europe on high alert.
The move is seen as undermining existing trade deals. The UK (10% baseline) and EU (25% baseline) had already agreed to tariff frameworks. This new policy would add another levy on top of those rates, a move exporters are calling a “mockery” of their agreements.
With a near-100% success rate for a previous list of 407 items, approval of this new list is widely expected in December or January. This signals a “liberal, expansive approach” by the US, creating global trade uncertainty.