The United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) has called on President Donald Trump to reinvest revenue generated from new tariffs on imported goods into reviving the domestic footwear supply chain.
In a letter sent to the President and key government officials, USFMA executive director Bill McCann highlighted the opportunity to modernise US footwear production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers — especially for critical items like military boots and PPE.
McCann stated that American footwear manufacturing is primed for a revival, driven by renewed investment from legacy brands and innovative startups. Technologies like AI-driven automation and additive manufacturing are enhancing competitiveness.
“Long-established footwear manufacturers are reinvesting in domestic operations, and a new generation of entrepreneurs and startups are entering the industry with energy and innovation. Advances in materials and manufacturing processes, such as AI-powered automation and additive manufacturing, are helping to level the global playing field for American footwear manufacturers,” USFMA executive director Bill McCann wrote in a letter to President Trump.
Currently, US-based footwear producers make just 25 million pairs annually — less than 1 per cent of the 2.7 billion pairs sold nationwide. USFMA proposes a $5 billion one-time federal investment to increase domestic output to at least 5 per cent (135 million pairs), which it claims would create tens of thousands of jobs and bolster national preparedness. Even before the President’s tariffs, levies on footwear imports were projected to generate $3.3 billion in 2025.
“Achieving the goal of rebuilding American footwear manufacturing requires significant capital investment, particularly in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. USFMA proposes that a portion of tariff revenue generated from imported footwear be strategically reinvested to match private sector capital to modernise and expand domestic footwear production,” McCann continued.
The association also underscored the role US manufacturers played during the COVID-19 pandemic by pivoting to produce millions of PPE items.
It cited that similar supply vulnerabilities persist in military logistics. As much as 50 per cent of active-duty troops reportedly wear foreign-made ‘optional’ boots, primarily from China and Vietnam. USFMA backs the bipartisan Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which would require all military boots to be US-made.
“For the strength of our economy, for our ability to make things in America, and for the safety of our warfighters, we respectfully urge your Administration to support a manufacturing friendly tax code, reinvest tariff revenue from imported footwear to spur the production of domestic footwear, and ensure US armed forces are equipped with best-in-class modern American-made footwear,” the letter concluded.
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