Any thoughts on the 145% Chinese tariff on purchases?

[coffeebreak]

The admin just folded and backed down saying USA won't play hardball and Bessent saying America doesn't want to be alone in this trade war. Does that mean we are expecting new, lower numbers soon?

[MrJag]

You can only expect the unexpected.

[jonathanf2]

I was mentally prepared for these tariffs to kick-in. On top of that de minimis is going to be eliminated, so we're not going to see any of the deals like before. AliExpress already has been consolidating Choice packages, so they're 2 steps ahead. Honestly, they should just go through with the high tariffs, it'll make the month of May quite interesting! 

[coffeebreak]

Yeah the post 2nd May times are what I am interested in. The admin will probably have a new toy to play with then.

[00Garza]

On my wishlist I'm seeing increased prices and quite a few items now can't be shipped to my location. (US)

[Stubbie Blue]

Yep on AliExpress I'm seeing:
- Choice items shipped by AliExpress: around double the price because tariffs are included.
- Items shipped by global sellers: huge tariffs charged separately at checkout.
- Many items not deliverable to the US.
- Some items with local shipping from US so no tariffs.

I also saw EliteWheels on AliExpress doesn't have tariffs. I ordered some in Jan when the first tariffs were announced but somehow they found a way to get them into the US and then ship them by UPS Ground from CA to FL so I was not charged any tariffs.

[lidation]

I think Trump is bluffing and will back down on May 3rd extending the deminimus termination date for another 90 days or something.
We'll wait and see.
The stuffs I ordered in the past 2 months will get me going on my hobbies for quite a few months.

[jonathanf2]

I think Trump is bluffing and will back down on May 3rd extending the deminimus termination date for another 90 days or something.
We'll wait and see.
The stuffs I ordered in the past 2 months will get me going on my hobbies for quite a few months.

Sadly this is affecting many small businesses and entrepreneurs. I'm hearing stories of businesses that will just cease to operate because of these tariffs. It's one thing to have a bike hobby, it's another thing when your whole livelihood is completely f**ked and you can't pay for your house, car, food, etc.

[lidation]

I just found out that on AliExpress, many sellers have their items listed as "shipped from the US" now, albeit at a higher price than just a couple of weeks ago. But this way at least we don't need worry about the Trump tariffs. The cheap stuffs era are probably gone. Or I might just do some vacation in China and focus my buyings over there.

[PLA]

Strong advocate for the tariffs. Hopefully our companies make more of an effort to manufacture goods locally now. Sucks we can't get our frames as cheap anymore, but it's a price we have to pay to Make America Great Again. Z.

[zilcho]

Strong advocate for the tariffs. Hopefully our companies make more of an effort to manufacture goods locally now. Sucks we can't get our frames as cheap anymore, but it's a price we have to pay to Make America Great Again. Z.

You're an idiot. No one is going to start manufacturing in the US. Even brands that started in the US and recently moved manufacturing to Asia said they are not coming back. This will only lead to higher prices and small brands closing.

[jonathanf2]

You're an idiot. No one is going to start manufacturing in the US. Even brands that started in the US and recently moved manufacturing to Asia said they are not coming back. This will only lead to higher prices and small brands closing.

That dude is a troll bot. Pay no attention. The only thing he’s making great again is his mom’s basement! 

[amacal1]

My package that was held up in customs for about 2 weeks finally cleared. Might even be delivered today. Unfortunately, literally the same day it cleared customs (I think 15 days being held) I had panicked and ordered the same package again thinking it wouldn't make it. That package shipped ultra fast and might be delivered tomorrow. Oh well. 2x items is fine, I guess.

[00Garza]

No one is going to start manufacturing in the US.

Most people don't understand the astronomical cost of moving manufacturing facilities/infrastructure and the absolute nightmare it would have on production. Its a pipe dream. Big corporations will find tariff loopholes or worst case scenario, find some other country with cheap labor to move to.

[jonathanf2]

i just received my very LAST AliExpress bike order, pre-tariff prices. At this point, I won't be buying anything bike related in the near future. I'm now going through some of my old equipment and seeing what I can rebuild and/or refurbish. I'm now thinking of using my older gravel frame for the more gnarly terrain (narrow single track, baby heads, trail ruts, etc.). All it takes is one bad wipe out and my newly build gravel frame and groupset is toast with no affordable replacement!