By Kristi Ellis
While many high-volume “sensitive” products will be subject to longer tariff phaseouts, with some having to wait 12 years for duty elimination, many were also granted duty-free treatment on Day One. Of note to women’s wear firms, dresses and skirts in all fabrics, ranging from cotton to rayon and wool, are set to become duty-free on the first day of implementation, according to Julia Hughes, president at the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, who was briefed by top U.S. trade officials at her group’s board meeting in New York on Thursday.
“In our world we live and die season by season,” Hughes said. “If you are talking about 14 years until you see some of the benefits and products going to full duty-free, that’s a long time. What is important right now is what will be immediately duty-free, and dresses and skirts in all fabrics that go duty-free on Day One will help women’s wear companies.”