'Taiwan’s Giant Bicycles, World’s No. 1, Banned from U.S. Exports over Forced Labor Concerns'

First Withhold Release Order by the U.S. on Taiwanese Manufacturing
"Likely Related to Giant’s Refusal to Build a Factory in the U.S."

Giant Bicycles of Taiwan, the world’s leading bicycle manufacturer, has been banned from exporting to the United States due to forced labor concerns.

On September 26, Taiwanese media outlets including China Times reported, citing sources, that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on September 24 against the “Giant” bicycle brand produced by Taiwan’s Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Giant Bicycles of Taiwan. Screenshot from Central News Agency Taiwan, Yonhap News Agency

The U.S. CBP issued the WRO after confirming indicators of forced labor, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), at Giant’s factories. These included abuse of vulnerable workers, poor living and working conditions, debt bondage, wage arrears, and excessive overtime.

To have the measure lifted, Giant must provide evidence that no forced labor is involved in its production process. If the company fails to present such evidence, the WRO, which is a temporary hold on imports, will be upgraded to a formal “Finding,” resulting in the products being forcibly seized. According to sources, this situation is interpreted as being related to Giant’s refusal to build a factory in the United States, despite having manufacturing plants in Taiwan, the Netherlands, and China.

Giant stated that the CBP’s action affects only products exported from Taiwan to the United States and is expected to have a short-term impact of about 4 to 5 percent on sales. The company added, “We have consistently operated mechanisms to ensure respect for human rights and protection of labor conditions,” and said it would take measures to seek the withdrawal of the WRO by U.S. authorities.

Sui-Hsiang, a researcher at the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, commented, “Until now, most WROs imposed by the United States on Taiwan have been related to distant-water fisheries. This is the first time it has targeted manufacturing.” He added, “The issuance of a WRO is a significant warning signal to both the Taiwanese government and the manufacturing sector.”

Lu Shiuyan, Mayor of Taichung City, where Giant’s headquarters is located, stated, “The CBP’s action, following the reciprocal tariff pressures of the Donald Trump administration, is another economic disaster for Taiwanese industries.” She emphasized, “Since this is a matter of trade negotiations between nations, the government must engage with the United States to seek the cancellation of the CBP’s action.”