Recent market turmoil resulting from US President Donald Trump’s constantly-changing policies regarding international trade tariffs, including a 25% tax on vehicle imports, has caused consternation among EU motorcycle brands with a presence in the US.
EU exports of motorcycles (including cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor) to the USA hovered around the $600m mark for nearly a decade, but spiked to a peak of US$1.08bn in 2022 (most recent data available), according to figures from the United Nations COMTRADE database.
When, or indeed if, the 25% tariffs actually come into effect then the negative affects on European motorcycle manufacturers and US dealers could have worrying consequences.