Giant’s CEO has met with US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials in an effort to lift the US’ import ban on the Taiwanese bike manufacturer.
The import ban was introduced in September after a US investigation identified “abuse of vulnerability, abusive working and living conditions, debt bondage, withholding of wages and excessive overtime” in the company. CBP commissioner Rodney S Scott said at the time that “Giant profited by imposing such abuse, resulting in goods produced below market value and undercutting American businesses by millions of dollars in unjustly earned profits.”
> Trump administration blocks imports of Giant bikes over forced labour allegations
The ban, implemented in the form of a ‘Withhold Release Order’, only applied to bikes and components manufactured in Taiwan, and did not prevent imports from the company’s factories in China, Vietnam and Europe. Giant initially responded to the accusations by pointing out changes had been made since 2024, including covering the travel costs, bureaucratic fees and arrangements of migrant workers. They subsequently arranged a meeting with the CBP and asked Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry for assistance.
> Giant arranges meetings with US Customs after Trump administration blocks bike imports over forced labour allegations
In a fuller rebuttal to the CBP’s allegations on Giant’s website, the company deny ever engaging in abusive practices or offering debt-bonded labour. They also say they “remain firmly committed to human rights and regulatory compliance.” In October, new dormitories were opened into which all migrant workers moved. An independent auditor has also been appointed.
Since the ban, Giant – which also owns the Liv, Momentum, Cadex and Stages brands and supplies Trek and Scott with components – has committed to “provide regular updates on its official platforms to ensure transparency and remains committed to further strengthening systems that protect migrant worker rights.” This included announcing in December that migrant workers would be refunded for previous expenses.
The latest update, details a “constructive and productive” meeting held last week which saw CBP officials pledge to speed up their investigation into Giant, with the bike manufacturer reaffirming the core values of the brand “including integrity, trustworthiness, proactiveness, efficiency, and resilience.” The company also paid tribute to its founder King Liu, who died last month at the age of 91. Giant Group CEO Phoebe Liu and the company’s Chief Legal Officer, Daniel Chen, attended the meeting.
A prospective lifting of the import ban can’t come soon enough for the biggest bike manufacturer in the world after the brand recorded a 21 percent revenue decrease in January compared with the same month in 2025. That £24m monthly slump also represents 75 percent of Giant’s post-tax profits to 2024.
> Worrying start to 2026 for Giant as bike brand’s revenue slumps by 22% in January