USFIA - United States Fashion Industry Association

The Daily Star: US textile bodies question reciprocal trade pact clause

On a 24 July deadline, the Daily Store reports on USFIA's submitted industry association reciprocal trade pact clause letter:

Refayet Ullah Mirdha| July 24, 2026

The following is an excerpt....

However, in a recent letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the National Council of Textile Organizations, American Apparel & Footwear Association, United States Fashion Industry Association and US Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute questioned the effectiveness of the mechanism.

“We note that USTR has proposed a tariff rate quota (TRQ) that we believe was modelled in part on what it previously negotiated with Bangladesh and Indonesia,” the leaders of the trade bodies wrote in the letter.

They said the textile clause was unlikely to create significant or immediate jobs or business opportunities in the United States and would not provide companies with the certainty needed for long-term investment and sourcing decisions.

Instead of relying on the ART, the bodies suggested that the USTR introduce a new textile mechanism under its Section 301 investigation. They also called on the USTR to focus on reopening closed textile factories in the United States, saying this would bring greater benefits to American clothing retailers.

Section 301 is a US trade investigation into imports made with forced labour. Following the investigation in April, the USTR proposed tariffs of 10 percent and 12.5 percent on exports from economies that fail to prove their products do not contain raw materials made with forced labour.

The trade bodies said any textile incentive should be linked to this new system, provided it is designed properly.

Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), said Bangladesh could face challenges if the Section 301 measures are enforced because its exports rely on raw materials imported from countries where forced labour may be used.

“The United States may be using the Section 301 investigation as a geopolitical tool. At this stage, there is no meaningful commercial benefit. It is a matter for further discussion,” Razzaque said, referring to the potential benefits of the textile mechanism in the ART.

Although the agreement was signed five months ago, the USTR has yet to explain how the textile clause will operate. Leaders of Bangladesh’s textile and garment sectors have repeatedly sought clarification, including during the visit of a USTR delegation and in meetings with officials at the US embassy in Dhaka.

Among all the provisions in the ART, the textile clause is seen as the only one that could directly benefit Bangladesh, although its impact depends on how the USTR implements it.

“We have asked the USTR and US embassy officials in Dhaka to explain the textile clause of the ART at several meetings, but we have yet to receive a response,” said Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

“We are frustrated because we still do not have an explanation of the textile clause. Our buyers keep asking about it, and the delay is affecting our business decisions,” he added.

Read the full article here.

The Express Tribune: Pakistan's textile vision takes centre stage in Canada

On a 9 October deadline, the Express Tribune reports on the upcoming ATS 2025 Conference.

October 9, 2025

The following is an excerpt....

Julie Hughes, president of the US Fashion Industry Association, echoed the sentiment, stressing that in unpredictable times it was "more important than ever" for US and Canadian brands to meet key global suppliers.

Her association participated in discussions on how trade policy developments in the United States could impact sourcing decisions across North America, underscoring the interdependence of regional markets.

The programmes also included daily sessions led by trend forecasting agency Peclers Paris, which made its debut at the Canadian show. The agency offered insights into colour forecasting, brand strategy, and the evolving aesthetics of global fashion.

Read the full article here.

The Financial Express: American brands push for tax refunds as RMG exporters eye order surge

On a 23 February deadline, the Financial Express reports on the recent US Supreme Court Ruling on IEEPA-based tariffs.

Monira Munni| February 23, 2026

Two major American trade organisations representing textile and apparel brands, retailers and importers have demanded refunds of import taxes following a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) welcomed the Supreme Court decision that invalidated the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs and mandated refunds of hundreds of billions of dollars collected under the measure.

Meanwhile, garment exporters in Bangladesh expect increased work orders from US buyers, saying the court ruling could improve buyers' purchasing capacity once the import taxes they paid are refunded.
In a statement on Friday, AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar said, "We are confident in Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) ability to move quickly and provide clear guidance to American businesses on how to obtain refunds for tariffs that were unlawfully collected."

He added that the CBP's modernised electronic refund process should help expedite repayments and urged the administration to work with Congress and stakeholders before considering any future tariff action.

The AAFA represents apparel, footwear and other sewn-product companies and their suppliers competing in the global market, contributing more than $523 billion annually in US retail sales.

In a separate statement, USFIA President Julia Hughes termed the Supreme Court ruling a "tremendous victory" for American consumers and businesses, noting that fashion brands and retailers already paid some of the highest tariffs on apparel and footwear.
She said that this is a positive step forward to improve affordability and remove the economic uncertainty that has held back many companies from making new investments.

"We call on the Trump Administration to move quickly to develop an efficient and automatic refund process that returns tariff money to the businesses that have paid more than $133 billion in IEEPA tariffs," she added.
USFIA represents textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally.

Talking to the FE, Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, said that after the court ruling, American buyers are likely to receive tax refunds, which will improve their financial situation.

Buyers had reduced order volumes following the tariff hikes as the added costs weakened consumer demand and forced them to adjust purchases within their existing budgets, he explained.

Islam added that a subsequent 15 per cent tariff announcement by Trump -- lower than the earlier 19 per cent applied to Bangladesh -- would not create major difficulties for buyers.

He also said Bangladesh could become a preferred destination for US buyers as orders shift from China.

According to US official data, Bangladesh earned $8.20 billion from garment exports to the US, posting 11.75 per cent year-on-year growth despite an overall decline in America's apparel imports.

View the full article here.

Trade groups want China tariffs scrapped to offset virus impact

Just-Style published an article titled "Trade groups want China tariffs scrapped to offset virus impact". The article discusses a letter sent to Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, calling for the immediate removal of China 301 tariffs on a number of consumer goods. USFIA and over 23 industry groups signed on to the letter. According to the industry groups who signed on to the letter, tariff removal should part of an "emergency response" by the Government as the economic impact of COVID-19 worsens. The letter states "Such a move would instantly put billions of dollars back into the US economy. This action also would provide certainty to American companies and encourage new hiring and new investment – moves that are now on hold given the unprecedented uncertainty facing the US economy. American consumers would also see benefits given that these tariffs act as a tax that often show up at retail in the form of higher prices. The lifting of these tariffs also requires no congressional action."

Read the full article here.

Trump Denies Agreeing to Roll Back China Tariffs

By Tara Donaldson

United States trade relations continue to be a roller coaster ride for companies caught in the fray.

“I think it’s fair to say that the administration has gotten China’s attention via these measures,” Bill Jackson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles, said speaking at the United States Fashion Industry Association’s (USFIA) Apparel Importers Trade and Transportation Conference in New York City Thursday. “But I believe that we are working towards the conclusion or resolution of that announced in the phase one agreement that folks are hoping to see very soon.”

Click here to read the full article on Sourcing Journal's website.

U.S. Fashion Industry Strongly Opposes New Tariffs

WASHINGTON, DC – This evening, President Trump announced that he would move forward with tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of goods from China, including several fashion and consumer products.

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) strongly opposes this action. In addition to amounting to a tax on consumers, these tariffs will add considerable disruption to the supply chain; the fact that the tariffs will start at 10 percent now and will rise to 25 percent on January 1st creates additional chaos in the fashion industry’s supply chains, which will have a wide-ranging negative impact on consumers, companies, and jobs in the United States. We urge the Trump Administration to reconsider this decision, and we will continue to join with our members and other industry groups to fight back on this tax on consumers and businesses.

“These tariffs on imports of textiles, apparel, and accessories do little to punish China for its intellectual property and technology transfer practices but do a lot to harm American fashion brands and retailers as well as consumers of their products,” said USFIA President Julia K. Hughes. “These tariffs are a direct tax on the American consumer—and will affect consumers at all income levels, from the single parent struggling to make ends meet as they purchase back-to-school necessities for their kids, to the consumer of high-end fashion manufactured in the United States, and every American family in between.”

Read USFIA’s testimony on this list of tariffs: https://www.usfashionindustry.com/policy/global-trade/usfia-testifies-at-ustr-s-301-hearing-in-august-2018

Read USFIA’s statement and post-hearing testimony about this list of tariffs: https://www.usfashionindustry.com/press/press-releases/usfia-files-post-hearing-comments-on-third-list-of-china-301-tariffs

Read about national, multi-industry efforts to fight these tariffs: https://www.usfashionindustry.com/press/press-releases/u-s-fashion-industry-joins-national-campaign-to-fight-taxes-on-consumers

To speak with an expert from USFIA, contact USFIA VP of Communications Samantha Sault at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 301-529-1451.

UNCTAD Global Trade Update: The Impact of Escalating Global Tariffs on Small and Vulnerable Economies

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development published an April 2025 Global Trade Update, looking at the impact of “reciprocal tariffs” on small and vulnerable economies. The report finds that small and least developed countries represent a marginal share of the U.S. trade deficit – less than 0.1% each – but their export abilities will be disproportionately affected by the “reciprocal tariffs.”

The new tariffs would generate minimal additional revenue, even if import volumes remained unchanged. Thirty-six of our trading partners would generate less than 1% of current U.S. tariff revenues. We share the graphic below but note that it is a searchable table in the Global Trade Update.

Their conclusion?

This is a critical moment to consider exempting them from tariffs that offer little to no advantage for US trade policy while potentially causing serious economic harm abroad.

The report also includes a timeline of U.S. trade policy decisions.

most trading partners facing reciprocal tariffs would generate minimal additional revenue for the us

Understanding Import Tariffs Under WTO Law

The European Parliamentary Research Service published an At A Glance report on understanding import tariffs under WTO law. The report includes information about multilateral tariff negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the principle of setting tariff ceilings in WTO embers’ individual tariff schedules, and most-favored nation tariff concessions and exemptions. We share the table below showing examples of bound tariff and MFN tariff rates:

EU WTO tariff chart

USFIA and Companies Discuss Impact of Tariffs on Industry and Consumers in Advance of USTR Hearing

Today, USFIA President Julia Hughes is scheduled to testify during the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing on the proposed tariffs on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese products under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. She will testify on a panel with the National Retail Federation (NRF), China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles, and Jo-Ann Stores, LLC, among others. Her testimony as prepared for delivery is available here.

Joann Stores has launched a campaign to stop the “Made in America Tax” (@made_tax), the proposed tariffs on fabrics and craft supplies. In addition, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has started a #nobabytariffs campaign on social media and are using the following graphic. We encourage companies to engage on social media if possible.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Hughes spoke to National Public Radio’s Marketplace about the impact of tariffs on fashion products, particularly the impact on consumers. You can hear the entire interview at https://www.marketplace.org/2018/08/22/business/fate-fashion-trade-war

USFIA Asks Congress to Intervene on Tariffs

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined a multi-industry association letter to Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee leadership to express concern about U.S. trade policy, specifically “the growing willingness of the current Administration to use tariffs (and the related use of absolute import quotas) as a major policy tool in an increasing number of trade disputes with our allies.” The letter asks Congress to “to consider a robust congressional response to the Administration’s actions. We strongly support increased congressional oversight by your Committees, the holding of expeditious hearings on the President’s use of delegated trade authority, and consideration of whether amendments to existing delegations of authority are necessary to clarify Congress’ important role in the execution of the nation’s trade policy.” The letter is available here.

USFIA criticises Trump decision to impose tariffs

United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has spoken out against the Trump Administration decision to initiate process to impose 301 tariffs on clothing, home textiles and footwear. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USFIA is the voice of the fashion industry in front of the US government as well as international governments and stakeholders.

Read our full statement on Knitting Industry's website.

USFIA Files Post-Hearing Comments on 301 Tariffs

On May 22nd, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) filed post-hearing rebuttal comments in support of omitting fashion and apparel products from the proposed list of products subject to increased duties under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Our comments provide more information on industry sourcing trends and how sourcing in China and Asia supports jobs in the United States. The comments are available here.

We also joined comments signed by 52 associations representing U.S. manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders expressing concerns about the use of tariffs to address China’s unfair trading practices. The comments are available here.

The U.S. Global Value Chain Coalition (USGVC) also filed comments, available here.

Finally, more than 50 fashion brands and retailers, including many USFIA members, filed comments, as well, available here.

USFIA Files Post-Hearing Comments on Third List of China 301 Tariffs

Following the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing in August on the third proposed list of $200 billion in tariffs, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) filed comments urging the Administration to remove certain apparel products and consumer goods from the list.

“The Administration has proposed tariffs on many items manufactured and sold by USFIA members, which will have a direct impact on American consumers, especially during the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons,” we said. “Of particular concern to USFIA’s member companies and consumers are the proposed tariffs on hats and headwear in HTSUS Chapter 65; luggage and handbags in Chapters 42 and 46; leather and faux leather apparel and products in Chapter 42; and lamps and furniture in Chapter 94. Our members also have concerns about the proposed tariffs on cookware in Chapter 73; picture frames in Chapter 83; plastic articles including rainwear and hangers in Chapter 39; certain electrical equipment including vacuum cleaners and television sets in Chapter 85; paper products in Chapter 48; articles of wood including jewelry boxes in Chapter 44; aluminum products including sanitary ware in Chapter 76; feathers used for stuffing and down in Chapter 5; textile products including felt and nonwovens and certain yarns in Chapter 56; and specialty textile products including embroidery in Chapter 58.”

The comments explain how the tariffs will harm consumers and jobs in the United States, while doing nothing to solve the IPR challenges with China; furthermore, the tariffs will actually discourage sourcing and manufacturing within the United States. The comments are available here.

In addition, USFIA joined multi-industry comments from a coalition of more than 150 trade associations representing U.S. retailers, manufacturers, farmers, technology companies, natural gas and oil companies and other industries. “Our organizations agree that longstanding issues in China have negatively impacted many U.S. companies, and we support the administration’s efforts to negotiate meaningful, binding and long-term solutions with the Chinese government, (but) applying these high levels of tariffs on Chinese products will continue to miss the mark,” we said.

USFIA joined additional comments from apparel, soft-goods, and retail associations, as well, available here.

USFIA Files Post-Hearing Comments on Third List of China 301 Tariffs

Washington, D.C. -- Following the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing in August on the third proposed list of $200 billion in tariffs, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) filed comments urging the Administration to remove certain apparel products and consumer goods from the list.

“The Administration has proposed tariffs on many items manufactured and sold by USFIA members, which will have a direct impact on American consumers, especially during the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons,” we said. “Of particular concern to USFIA’s member companies and consumers are the proposed tariffs on hats and headwear in HTSUS Chapter 65; luggage and handbags in Chapters 42 and 46; leather and faux leather apparel and products in Chapter 42; and lamps and furniture in Chapter 94. Our members also have concerns about the proposed tariffs on cookware in Chapter 73; picture frames in Chapter 83; plastic articles including rainwear and hangers in Chapter 39; certain electrical equipment including vacuum cleaners and television sets in Chapter 85; paper products in Chapter 48; articles of wood including jewelry boxes in Chapter 44; aluminum products including sanitary ware in Chapter 76; feathers used for stuffing and down in Chapter 5; textile products including felt and nonwovens and certain yarns in Chapter 56; and specialty textile products including embroidery in Chapter 58.”

The comments explain how the tariffs will harm consumers and jobs in the United States, while doing nothing to solve the IPR challenges with China; furthermore, the tariffs will actually discourage sourcing and manufacturing within the United States.

The comments are available here.

To speak with an expert from USFIA, contact USFIA VP of Communications Samantha Sault at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or 301-529-1451.

USFIA Joins 100+ Trade Groups on Letter on 301 Tariffs

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined more than 100 trade associations in a letter to the House Ways & Means Committee expressing concern about the Section 301 tariffs. The letter is available here, and the Wall Street Journal reported on the letter here. The committee is holding a hearing on the tariffs today; we’ll provide any relevant updates to members after the hearing.

USFIA Joins More than 30 U.S. Trade Associations Asking the Biden Administration to End Trump Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, in a letter to President Biden USFIA joined 32 other U.S. trade associations representing a wide range of sectors--from fashion to manufacturing, agriculture and consumer products-- calling for an end to the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. The letter comes as President Biden arrives in Europe for discussions with the G7 and major trading partners.

Since their inception in 2018, the 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum have caused supply disruptions and price fluctuations for some of the most critical inputs used by U.S. manufacturers, effectively handing a competitive advantage to overseas producers and raising costs for U.S. companies that rely on steel and aluminum products. In addition, retaliatory tariffs against U.S. exports put in place by traditional trade allies have hurt a wide range U.S. exports, including fashion products.

“These tariffs continue to hurt small, family-owned businesses and the communities in which they built their companies, while fracturing relations with overseas trading partners and spurring a frenzy of retaliatory trade measures against both related and unrelated industries,” the 33 trade associations write. “The restriction on the supply of goods and raw materials resulting from the tariffs has sent a ripple throughout downstream industries, disrupting supply chains and threatening the economic security of American workers. Our members rely on the movement of their goods and inputs without [[constant]] government intervention that causes delivery delays and arbitrary price spikes,” the letter continues. You can read the full letter here.

For press inquiries please contact Shannon Brady, Communications Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

USFIA Joins Multi-Industry Comments on 301 Tariffs

In advance of next week’s hearing, United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has joined two multi-industry comments filed with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. One led by a group of soft-goods industry trade associations expresses “very strong opposition to any tariff increases on U.S. imports of consumer products, such as clothing, shoes, home goods, fashion accessories, or travel goods from China.” Another includes dozens of apparel, retail, agriculture, electronics, automobile, tech, and other industries who say the tariffs “will not effectively advance our shared goal of changing these harmful Chinese practices in a durable, verifiable, and enforceable manner.” USFIA will be filing our own comments today, which we’ll share with members next week.

USFIA Joins Soft Goods Industry Letter to Trump on 301 Tariffs

The U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined several soft-goods industry groups in sending a letter to President Trump opposing “tariff increases on U.S. imports of consumer products, such as clothing, shoes, home goods, fashion accessories, or travel goods from China.” The letter is available here. According to multiple reports, President Trump is expected to impose up to $60 billion in new tariffs on products from China on Friday; some sources say there may be a public comment period, but it’s not entirely clear. The steel and aluminum tariffs are set to go into effect on March 23, just 15 days after President Donald Trump signed the proclamations, without such a comment period.

USFIA Member Strategy Call: Next Steps on China Tariffs

USFIA President Julie Hughes, USFIA Washington Counsel David Spooner, and Christine Berghofer and Tom Kukanza of USFIA's Premier Partner PwC discussed the impact of the tariffs on the industry, the potential for more retaliatory tariffs on imports from China, and strategies for companies to respond to the tariffs.

USFIA Participates in Documentary on Tariffs & Trade

This month, The Federalist Society, a prominent conservative and libertarian legal non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C., produced a short documentary, Fashion & Free Trade: Questions About Globalism, Tariffs, & Trade, featuring USFIA President Julia Hughes and USFIA Washington Counsel David Spooner, as well as NCTO’s Auggie Tantillo. The documentary has been widely shared and well received among pro-trade influencers in Washington, D.C. You can watch the documentary here.