FDRA Warns New Footwear Tariffs Could Push Total Costs Past 5 Billion

The U.S. footwear industry is sounding the alarm as potential new tariffs threaten to drive costs even higher for American families.

On Wednesday, July 9, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) sent a formal letter to the Trump Administration, urging officials not to impose further tariffs on footwear ahead of the crucial back-to-school shopping period. The FDRA’s message highlights the significant financial strain that additional tariffs would place on American families, especially those buying children’s shoes.

Tariffs Disproportionately Impact Families

The FDRA’s letter stresses that proposed tariffs would hit families hardest, particularly when it comes to purchasing kids’ shoes, which could already face tariff rates as high as 20 to 48 percent or even higher. The letter states:

“While the President announced a new 20 percent added tariff on Vietnamese-made products, many children’s shoes from Vietnam already have a 20 percent tariff. This raises the important question ahead of back-to-school shopping: Why should footwear companies and American families pay an additional 20 percent if they already pay 20 percent?”

The FDRA emphasizes that kids’ shoes are not typically manufactured in the U.S., unlike high-end leather shoes or military boots. As noted in a previous letter to President Trump, the FDRA and allied trade associations “strongly support the President’s comments indicating that his tariff policy is not focused on driving sneaker and T-shirt production to the U.S. We agree that tariff policy alone cannot scale up a domestic footwear and apparel industry. In addition, footwear is not an industry that is strategic to national security priorities.”

Letter to Ambassador Greer: Key Points

The FDRA addressed its concerns directly to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative, outlining the following critical points:

• The footwear industry has long carried a heavy tariff burden, with an average rate of 12 percent—much higher than the 2 percent average for other consumer goods.

• The highest footwear tariffs disproportionately affect low-value and children’s shoes, which often already face rates of 20 percent, 48 percent, or more before any new tariffs are added.

• As children’s feet grow, families must buy several pairs of shoes each year. With back-to-school season approaching, new shoes are a necessity for millions of U.S. families, supporting both education and children’s health.

• The FDRA questions the logic of stacking new tariffs on top of existing ones, especially when the products in question are already subject to high duties.

Industry and Economic Implications

The letter further argues:

“For decades, the footwear industry has operated under a significant tariff burden larger than almost any sector. Today’s tariffs disproportionately impact working class families across the U.S., because the highest footwear tariff rates fall on low value shoes and children’s shoes.”

The FDRA urges that reciprocal tariffs should not be layered on top of the base “MFN” (most favored nation) rate. The association points out that footwear companies already pay over $3 billion annually in tariff revenue, a figure expected to surpass $5 billion in 2025.

The Call to Action

The FDRA concludes by expressing its willingness to collaborate with the administration, stating:

“We look forward to working with you on this important issue to help prevent footwear job losses and higher inflation that would result from further stacked tariffs.”

As the administration considers new trade agreements and tariff policies, the FDRA’s letter serves as a strong reminder of the real-world impact these decisions have on American families and businesses.

For more details and to read the full letter, visit the FDRA website.