Apparel and footwear industry condemns latest tariff escalation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 5, 2019 – The American Apparel & Footwear Association strongly condemns the announcement that the Trump administration plans to increase tariffs on U.S. imports from China, as referenced by the President via Twitter earlier today.

“We strongly oppose the President’s announcement that he will continue to penalize American families, and add additional obstacles to economic growth, by imposing further tariffs on U.S. imports from China," said Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. "As has been made clear by the Administration's use of tariffs during the past year, tariffs are an additional tax burden placed on Americans. These taxes are not paid by foreign nations and they result in higher costs that are simply passed on to the American consumer. The tariffs described by the President – both those that would be increased to 25% on Friday, and those that would be added to consumer goods like clothing and shoes that are not currently being charged with punitive tariffs – will only hurt U.S. families, U.S. workers, U.S. companies, and the U.S. economy.

"We urge the President to refrain from imposing these additional tariffs and instead focus on negotiating and concluding the trade deal with China.”

Last year, AAFA estimated that a 25% tariff on the industry’s products would result in a family of four paying an additional $500 a year just on these products.