Giant and other companies have been accused of using forced labor practices in Taiwan.
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Ouch. That’s going to have an impact
Good think my next bike is already in a box in my garage.
The Escape Collective article on it gives some much needed details - US Customs detaining Giant Bicycles shipments over forced-labor allegations
“Independent journalist Peter Bengtsen furthered his reporting on forced-labor abuses in Taiwan with stories in 2024 and 2025 in Le Monde Diplomatique that alleged several companies in the bicycle industry, including Giant, Merida, and Maxxis, were exploiting workers through practices like debt bondage. Bengtsen specializes in labor investigations and has reported for The Guardian and Der Spiegel, among other outlets. The CBP said it made the decision “based on information that reasonably indicates forced labor use” but it’s unknown if CBP relied on Bengtsen’s reporting, and Bengtsen was not immediately available for comment.”
Yeah, one of my buddies commented that they didn’t realize the administration was so concerned about propping up the used bicycle market🤣
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I’m sure there’s a good reason (or not, the current administration is nothing if not mercurial in speech and actions) but choosing to block a bike brand for ethical treatment of employees building them seems like they’re picking low hanging fruit or a brand someone with an ear doesn’t like. There’s plenty of other brands/types of things imported that are as ethically poor without comment.
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