CRBN Pickleball Founder Vows to Do Right Amidst Upheaval, Uncertainty in the US
Could it be that Asia’s picklers could soon buy US-branded paddles on the cheap?
That possibility isn’t beyond the realm of reason—not with US President Donald Trump starting what’s turning out to be a tariff war with various countries, including China.
The China mainland, of course, is where known brands like CRBN Pickleball, JOOLA and Selkirk manufacture their paddles, and this means they will need to import their products back to the US and pay the additional tariffs Trump has imposed. It is also a hefty one—as much as 145% more than when Trump first assumed presidency.
The question that arises is will this mean that US branded paddles will end up costing more in the US than anywhere else in the world? Because if these vendors can direct ship from their manufacturers to the asian markets, these paddles (and hence asian consumers) will avoid the increase in cost caused by the tariif. But those same paddles when sent back to the US for sale, will get hit with the 145% tax.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out
CRBN Feels the Strain of the Tariff Wars
This tenuous scenario is already putting a strain on at least one paddle maker, in particular: CRBN. Even so, CRBN founder Garrett Gosselin has vowed his company will continue doing right by their customers and the sport.
In a mail sent to all CRBN news subscribers, Gosselin told CRBN followers, “The new tariffs on imported goods are creating real challenges for us as a small business, and we want to be transparent with you about how we’re navigating it,” Gosselin told Pickleball News Asia in an email. “You may have seen the headlines about new tariffs on imported goods—including many of the materials we use to make our paddles and gear. As a small, family-run business, the financial impact is very real (costs have increased by up to 145% as of this writing).”
The CRBN founder also rued the uncertainty of Trump’s seemingly ever-changing policies on trade, with Gosselin lamenting how the constant changes make it “nearly impossible to plan ahead or make meaningful adjustments with confidence.” But at least for now CRBN, according to Gosselin, has no plans to increase their paddles’ prices, although the company aren’t ruling it out completely.
“Like many small businesses, we need clarity, consistency, and time to adjust. Unfortunately, those are luxuries we’re not being afforded right now…,” he further said in his email. “Right now, we have no plans to raise prices on paddles or any other CRBN products. We’re doing everything we can to hold steady.”
Indeed, CRBN are doing their best. But the reality remains the same: A lot can still happen moving forward. Some might be good, some might not be too good.
“We also want to be transparent: This situation is fluid, and if the costs keep rising, price increases may become necessary down the line. We won’t make any knee-jerk decisions. That’s not who we are,” Gosselin continued. “But if you’ve had your eye on something from CRBN, this may be a good time to lock in current pricing—just in case.”
A Fluid Situation
That price increase is certainly possible, especially in the US. But, as per the explanation above, it is also possible that Trump’s tariff war could benefit Asia’s picklers if CRBN—and every other paddle-maker manufacturing their paddles in China—ship directly to their Asian markets. Doing so will effectively bypass Trump’s high tariffs and keep paddle prices at the same level, with increases (ironically) only being seen in their home market of US.
At this point, though, everything is up in the air. As Gosselin said, the situation is fluid, and no one can fully tell what could or would happen in the future. Two things are certain. One, Pickleball News Asia will monitor the situation and dig deeper into it. Two, CRBN will continue doing right by their customers and the sport.
As Garrett signed off, “We’re committed to doing right by our customers, our team, and the sport we love. And no matter what happens, that will never change,” he said.
That commitment will never change. Everything else is anyone’s guess.
