July 10, 2025 Press Release

FDRA Urges Trump Administration to Halt Tariff Stacking on Footwear Ahead of Back-to-School Season

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) sent a letter to the Trump Administration requesting that it not impose additional footwear tariffs on top of the existing ones.

The letter warns that these tariffs disproportionately impact working families, especially when it comes to children’s shoes, which can face rates as high as 20–48% or more. With the back-to-school season approaching, families need relief—not added financial pressure.

“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?”

“Kids’ shoes are not the type of footwear made in the U.S., like high-end leather shoes or military boots. As we highlighted in a May 29th letter to President Trump, joined by several trade associations, we 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.”

Read the full letter here: FDRA Letter to Trump Administration – July 2025

Recent Coverage on Footwear and Inflation Trends:

1. 1. Reuters – Nike, other retailer stocks rise on Trump’s trade deal with Vietnam to reduce tariffs
   2. Sourcing Journal – As Tariff Hits Keep Coming, Experts Say Fashion’s Burden Could Be Compounded
   3. New York Times –Trump Wants America to Make Things Again. Does It Have What It Takes?
   4. Associated Press – Tariffs will make sneakers, jeans and almost everything Americans wear cost more, trade groups warn

See the full release here.

About FDRA: FDRA is governed and directed by footwear executives and is the only trade organization focused solely on the footwear industry. Serving the full footwear supply chain, it boosts its members’ bottom lines through innovative products, training, consulting on footwear design and development, sourcing and compliance, trade and customs, advocacy, and consumer and sales trend analysis for shoe retailers around the world. FDRA supports 500 companies and brands worldwide, representing 97% of the total U.S. footwear industry.

To schedule an interview with Matt Priest on the state of the footwear industry, please email fdracomms@cgagroup.com.