As US trims China tariffs on toys and appliances, footwear and apparel remain on the hook for now

After the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on September 25, both countries released on Monday reciprocal lists of nonsensitive products that will see tariff cuts. The lists include items worth about 30 billion dollars each, prioritizing agricultural commodities, hair and personal care products, and medical equipment, among others. The agreement, set to help strengthen trade cooperation between the world's two largest economies, does not extend tariff relief to the fashion industry.

The U.S. list contains selected household textiles, such as bedding, curtains, and table linen, but does not include apparel or footwear, which are frequently categorized as import-sensitive products as both industries are highly vulnerable to foreign competition, cheap labor markets, and dumping.

Following the announcement, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) issued a statement saying they are “disappointed that footwear was left out of this latest round of items to be considered for exclusions.”

“Shoes are not a luxury. They are an everyday necessity for working families, children, and consumers across the country, and continued tariffs on footwear contribute to the cost pressures Americans are already facing,” Matt Priest, FDRA president, said. “FDRA will continue pushing for meaningful footwear tariff relief and working with the Administration to advance policies that lower costs for consumers, strengthen the industry and provide greater certainty for businesses.”

The Trump administration has imposed a series of tariffs on Chinese goods in the past year, reaching up to 145 percent. China responded with a 125 percent tariff on American goods. The new agreement shows a de-escalation in the tariff warfare between the two countries.

In recent years, US companies have moved their manufacturing and material sourcing to different countries due to geopolitical trade tensions. In 2025, China's share of US footwear imports fell to the smallest volume since 1992, according to the Footwear Distributors and Retailers Association (FDRA).

While the deal did not cover sensitive strategic goods, AFP reported that some analysts believe U.S.-China trade will likely continue to recover for the rest of the year.

U.S. exports to China were roughly 68 billion dollars through the first seven months of 2026, while Chinese exports to the U.S. were at around 270 billion dollars for the first eight months, according to Prashant Bhayani, chief investment officer for Asia at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, as per AFP.