US industry urges Trump to reduce tariff burden on footwear, apparel

“Tariff policy cannot overcome these obstacles, especially when it is imposing new costs on existing manufacturers in our industry,” they said in a letter addressed to Trump.

“For decades, the footwear and apparel industries have operated under a substantial tariff burden—the highest of any sector….Any new tariffs should recognise that our industries already exceed the baselines you have proposed and should not be stacked on top of these already elevated rates since that only conveys a cost burden to those US consumers who can afford it [the] least,” their letter noted.

“We appreciate your acknowledgment of the real-world challenges our industries face. Footwear and apparel manufacturing are both labor- and capital-intensive. Shoemaking requires a large, skilled workforce dedicated to mastering intricate techniques….Additionally, there are very few sourcing locations capable of meeting the scale and cost demands of US consumers, and establishing footwear and apparel factories requires years of planning and investment,” it said.

“We urge you to adopt a pragmatic framework that reduces the tariff burden on footwear and apparel, increases high-value jobs for US workers, and provides relief to hardworking American families,” the letter added.

The four other trade bodies that signed the letter are the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and the US Fashion Industry Association.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)