US FDRA urges Trump to exempt footwear from reciprocal tariffs

A letter by them cautions that without swift relief, the tariffs could force hundreds of businesses to close, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs and drive up costs for hardworking American families.

“Our industry is uniquely vulnerable,” the letter states. “With some of the highest tariff rates already in place—especially on children’s and low-cost shoes—these new tariffs are simply unsustainable. They won’t bring manufacturing back, but they will hurt families at the register.”

“Given the nature of the US footwear industry, American footwear businesses and families face an existential threat from such substantial cost increases. Hundreds of businesses face the prospect of closure. Tens of thousands of jobs are at stake. Many orders have been placed on hold, and footwear inventory for US consumers may soon run low,” the letter reads.

“Many companies making affordable footwear for hardworking lower and middle-income families cannot absorb tariff rates this high, nor can they pass along these costs. Without immediate relief from the reciprocal tariffs they will simply shutter,” it noted.

“In addition, these tariffs will not drive shoe manufacturing back to the US. It takes significant capital investment and years of planning to shift sourcing. The new tariffs in fact remove the business certainty that is needed to make these types of investments and erase almost all the necessary capital. There is also a reciprocal tariff on the machinery and materials needed to make footwear in the US,” the letter says.

“This is an emergency that requires immediate action and attention. The American footwear industry does not have months to adjust business models and supply chains while absorbing this unprecedented and unforeseen tariff regime,” it adds.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)