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Fashion made possible by global trade

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Fashion made possible by global trade

Global Trade

USFIA Testifies on U.S.-Japan Negotiating Objectives

On December 10, 2018, USFIA President Julia Hughes testified at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing on the negotiating objectives for the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. She spoke in support of a trade agreement with Japan, an important trading partner for retail as the third-largest consumer market in the world, as well as an important sourcing destination for high-quality textiles increasingly demanded by consumers. She also called for the elimination of the very high import duties on fashion products; a flexible, simplified, 21st-century Rule of Origin for apparel; harmonized and streamlined customs procedures; and, harmonized rules and regulations governing issues like product safety and labeling. The testimony is available on our website.
USFIA Urges GSP for All Travel Goods

On March 25, 2016, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined a letter to Aimee Larson, Director for GSP at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), urging Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for all eligible travel goods. The signatories, including many industry associations and member companies, explained that including backpacks, purses, luggage, wallets, key cases, and cosmetic bags in the GSP program “creates the maximum benefit for the United States and the developing world.” The letter is available here.
USFIA: New Tariffs on China Won’t Bode Well for Skirting Trade War

Following our testimony at USTR’s Section 301 hearing on new tariffs on China, USFIA President Julia Hughes published an op-ed in Sourcing Journal, New Tariffs on China Won’t Bode Well for Skirting Trade War. She writes,

While no one knows what the next executive order, or tweet, will bring in terms of trade policy, those of us in the fashion industry do know a trade war with China—and specifically, new tariffs on fashion and apparel products manufactured in China—will raise prices for American families, harm jobs in the United States, and won’t do anything to solve concerns about China’s IP policies and practices.

In 2017, U.S. apparel imports grew just over 3 percent in volume and about 1 percent in value. China remains the dominant supplier of these products, supplying 49 percent of total textile and apparel products, and just over 40 percent of apparel, without any clear contender to replace China should the much-hyped trade war become reality. (The No. 2 supplier of apparel, Vietnam, is far behind, shipping just 13 percent of our apparel products.)

Click here to read the op-ed on the Sourcing Journal website.

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About

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is dedicated to fashion made possible by global trade.

USFIA represents brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally. Founded in 1989, USFIA works to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the fashion industry’s ability to trade freely and create jobs in the United States.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, USFIA is the voice of the fashion industry in front of the U.S. government as well as international governments and stakeholders. With constant, two-way communication, USFIA staff and counsel serve as the eyes and ears of our members in Washington and around the world, enabling them to stay ahead of the regulatory challenges of today and tomorrow. Through our publications, educational events, and networking opportunities, USFIA also connects with key stakeholders across the value chain including U.S. and international service providers, suppliers, and industry groups.

Learn More About USFIA

Learn About the Fashion Industry

Attend Our Events

News

Greer Meets with Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy

Information
25 April 2025
USTR

Fashion Intel & Analysis
FR Notice Available for De Minimis Implementation

Information
25 April 2025
CBP

Fashion Intel & Analysis
Senate Finance Committee Schedules Hearing for CBP Commissioner Nominee

Information
24 April 2025
Congress

Fashion Intel & Analysis
Twelve States File New Lawsuit Against IEEPA Tariffs

Information
24 April 2025
Tariffs, Litigation

Fashion Intel & Analysis
CIT Denies Short-Term TRO for IEEPA Tariffs

Information
24 April 2025
Tariffs, Litigation

Fashion Intel & Analysis

TRACKING TRUMP'S TARIFFS

USFIA has created a new web page to track tariff actions from the Trump Administration, featuring an interactive table with the latest information. Below are some high-level stats from this data.

Average new tariff rate imposed by Trump Administration

New tariffs range from 10% to 25% with little regard to existing tariffs or FTA partners. This number will change after the April 9 reciprocal tariffs take effect.

Total number of new tariff actions this year

Tariff actions taken so far in 2025 impact every single country; including those with no trade to the U.S. and trusted trading partners.

Estimated tariff increase on apparel imports

From research by Dr. Sheng Lu. If the value of US textile and apparel imports in 2025 remains unchanged from 2024, the reciprocal tariff would result in nearly $35 billion in total tariff duties on these products—an increase of $19.9 billion compared to the current tariff levels.

See More Tariff Data

Events

Washington Trade Symposium

Washington, DC
REGISTER NOW

July 16, 2025

Annual Conference

Apparel Importers Trade & Transportation Conference

New York, New York
SAVE THE DATE

November 5, 2025

Reports

2025 Sourcing Trends & Outlook Report

USFIA's 2025 Sourcing Trends & Outlook Report is out. Members can log-in to the website to download it here.

The top 5 sourcing trends in the 2025 report are:

Asian apparel suppliers continue to dominate sourcing.
China maintains its role as the top supplier.
Higher costs are easing with lower average unit values.
New suppliers highlight apparel sourcing opportunities.
Despite high duty rates, FTAs and preference programs remain underutilized. CAFTA remains the major duty-free supplier.

The sourcing report includes a special section with global trade data prepared by Dr. Sheng Lu, professor in the Fashion and Apparel Studies Department at the University of Delaware. Dr. Lu highlights the high cost of tariffs over the last 14 years, with U.S. fashion companies paying $11.9 billion in tariffs on apparel imports in 2024.

Top U.S. Apparel Suppliers in 2024 by Quantity

When it comes to apparel, Asian suppliers continue to dominate the U.S. market. The top seven suppliers continue to ship more than 70% of total apparel imports. Again this year the three largest apparel suppliers represent just over 60% of apparel imports.

2025-sourcing-report-top-apparel-suppliers-quantity.jpeg

Top U.S. Apparel Suppliers in 2024 by Value

By value, China is the top supplier of U.S. apparel imports, but China no longer dominates the import data. There are 18 suppliers that ship 1% or more of apparel imports by value, with several suppliers who make the list thanks to shipping higher value apparel to the U.S.

2025 Sourcing Report trend: FTAs and Preference Programs Remain Underutilized

With duties on apparel as high as 32%, there are many reasons to take a fresh look at the apparel and textile manufacturers eligible for preference programs and free trade agreements. The value of U.S. apparel imports that qualify for duty-free access during 2024 increased slightly from one year ago.

2024 USFIA Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study

This is the eleventh USFIA Benchmarking Survey and again fashion industry sourcing executives face a litany of challenges. Concern over the economy and inflation, as well as eliminating forced labor, continue to be top concerns in the U.S. fashion industry. This year's respondenents also report an elevated level of concern about the impact of shipping and supply chain disruptions as well as geopolitical tensions.

New for this year is a sharp increase in sourcing executives who are concerned about the protectionist trade policy agenda in the United States, with 45% ranking it a top-5 business challenge, compared with just 15% last year.

Download the complete study here, and see the highlights below: