Dear USFIA Members, Affiliates, and Friends: Happy New Year!
USFIA Chair Michael LambertWow, what a year 2025 was! I cannot remember a year where the global trade industry has faced the types of challenges that we’ve faced this year…on and off again tariffs (many different types), trade agreement uncertainty, origin and supply chain challenges…the list was long and varied.
While 2025 was a tumultuous year, it was also a year where trade professionals stepped to the forefront in helping leadership shape future strategies and, at the same time, demonstrated the value that USFIA offers in support of textile and apparel trade professionals throughout the U.S.
For myself, being a member of the USFIA for decades led to one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career in 2025, when I was asked to step up from Vice Chairman of USFIA into the role of Chairman.
In my short time as Chairman, I’ve seen once again how important it is to have an organization like the USFIA as an educator, facilitator and advocate for the textile and apparel trade community. Through frequent and timely trade updates, the USFIA keeps us informed of significant trade events as they occur. Educational opportunities through webinars and conferences are second to none. And, in an increasingly complex geo-political environment, the USFIA advocates for members on issues that affect all of us.
So what does 2026 hold for us in the trade community? More uncertainty for sure, with the Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, the first of what will likely be many significant trade actions.
USMCA discussions will be taking place and the fate of numerous trade agreements will be decided. How the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement activities will affect importers is still uncertain, and the use of different tariffs may extend to new products or countries.
In short, 2026 may end up looking a lot like 2025. But, like in 2025, the USFIA will be there to help members and partners communicate and exchange insights, provide critical information for decision making, and provide much needed guidance in a time of trade uncertainty.
These are certainly interesting times and I’m glad to have the USFIA, its members and partners to help navigate the challenges together.
Happy New Year and I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous 2026!
Mike Lambert
Chair of the United States Fashion Industry Association
Executive Director of Global Trade and Compliance at Urban Outfitters, Inc.