How Golf Carts Got Caught In Trump's U.S.-China Trade War
Golf carts aren’t usually the focus of international trade disputes, but they’ve now found themselves caught in the middle of growing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Key Points
- The International Trade Commission has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese-made golf carts after ruling they were being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices.
- Supporters say the move protects American manufacturers like Club Car and E-Z-GO from being driven out of business, while critics question the national security relevance of the dispute.
- Higher costs for golf courses to source carts could eventually lead to increased greens and cart fees for players.
The International Trade Commission has ruled that imports of Chinese-built golf carts—officially classified as Low Speed Personal Transportation Vehicles—have been sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, harming domestic manufacturers. The decision means new tariffs will be imposed, ranging from 31% to a staggering 679%, depending on the specific company and circumstances.
Antidumping duties—a tariff imposed on imports believed to be priced below fair market value—will be imposed as well, with those duties ranging from 119 percent to 478 percent.
For years, American brands like Club Car and E-Z-GO have faced steep price competition from China, where some golf carts can be found online for under $1,000, compared to entry-level U.S. models that start well above $8,000.
According to import data, China accounted for 99% of the $703 million worth of assembled golf cart imports in 2024, quickly eroding market share from American manufacturers. In 2024, American manufacturers held a combined 37-percent share of the golf cart industry.
Georgia Congressman Rick Allen, whose district is home to both Club Car and E-Z-GO, pushed for the tariffs, arguing that without action, Chinese imports would drive U.S. producers out of business—only for China to raise prices later.
"All I can do is look historically at what the Chinese have done,” Allen said, “and what they do is they go in, the government dumps steel or whatever in this country, golf carts, you name it. They put the competition out of business. And then you're solely dependent on the Chinese for the problem.”
According to Golf Digest, the ITC’s ruling introduces both antidumping duties, targeting goods sold below market value, and countervailing duties, aimed at offsetting foreign government subsidies. Supporters frame the play as protecting U.S. jobs and manufacturing capacity, but some economists question the national security angle, noting that golf carts are far from critical goods like cars, semiconductors, and rare earth minerals.
For golf courses and players, the impact could be more immediate—higher procurement costs for clubs could eventually translate into steeper cart and greens fees. As far as I'm concerned, it's better to walk anyway.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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