Experts say the new policies are likely to raise prices and weaken consumer confidence, and are unlikely to bring U.S. manufacturing back.
Lara Ewen | April 3, 2025
President Donald Trump announced sweeping changes to U.S. tariffs on Wednesday. The policy adjustments include a universal baseline tariff of 10%, effective April 5, and higher individual tariffs on U.S. trading partners, effective April 9. ...
Below are excerpts from responses provided by experts on how these proposed tariff changes will impact the global fashion ecosystem.
United States Fashion Industry Association
In a statement issued Wednesday, the association said, “the fashion industry depends on global supply chains more than perhaps any other sector of manufactured goods.
“While tariffs can be a useful tool in addressing unfair trade practices, they disproportionately impact the fashion industry. U.S. imports of textiles and apparel are subjected to some of the highest tariff rates. For example, in 2024, the average tariff on steel was 5%, while the average tariff on apparel was a staggering 14.6%.”
Despite these high tariffs, the association said, “the percentage of apparel made in the U.S. remains just 3%. The textile and apparel industry has been paying higher tariffs for decades with little impact on reshoring manufacturing.”