If you have any questions or requests, please contact FDRA at fdracomms@cgagroup.com.
FDRA Press Release Center
May 30, 2025 Press Release
Footwear and Apparel Industry Thanks President Trump in New Letter for Recognizing Tariff Limits, Urges Smart Trade Policy to Protect U.S. Jobs and Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) and leading industry groups and brands sent a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump.
The letter, signed by the FDRA, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), and the U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), thanks President Trump for acknowledging that tariffs are not a viable tool to bring sneaker and T-shirt production back to the U.S.
Read the full letter here: FDRA Letter to President Trump – May 2025
Read 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 95% 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.
Press Releases 2025
- (05/30/2025) Footwear and Apparel Industry Thanks President Trump in New Letter for Recognizing Tariff Limits, Urges Smart Trade Policy to Protect U.S. Jobs and Families
- (05/12/2025) FDRA Urges White House to Finish the Job on Tariff Relief as Trade Talks Advance
- (05/06/2025) FDRA Gathers Footwear Leaders in Washington, D.C. to Advance Industry Innovation and Urge Tariff Reform
- (05/01/2025) Footwear Industry Urges President Trump to Exempt Shoes from Harmful Tariffs
- (04/22/2025) ICYMI: FDRA’s Matt Priest on PBS NewsHour and NPR on How Trump’s Tariff Push Is Undermining Consumer Confidence, Slowing Demand, and Straining American Businesses
- (04/10/2025) ICYMI: FDRA’s Matt Priest on CNBC, CNN & MSNBC Discussing Trump’s New Tariff Plan and Its Impact on American Families, Businesses
- (04/02/2025) FDRA Warns: New Tariffs Will Hit American Families Hard, Forcing Them to Buy Less and Pay More
- (04/01/2025) ICYMI: History Warns Against Tariffs—Industries Brace for Higher Costs
- (03/31/2025) Matt Priest Urges White House to Take Targeted Approach on Tariffs, Warns Against Biggest Tax Hike in Recent History
- (03/31/2025) FDRA Releases Q1 2025 Shoe Executive Business Outlook Survey: Tariffs Weigh on Industry Sentiment
- (03/13/2025) ICYMI: FDRA’s Matt Priest Joins CNBC’s The Exchange to Discuss Decline in Consumer Confidence and the Impact of Tariffs on American Families
- (03/12/2025) Footwear Sales Continue to Plunge, Down 10% Last Week Following a 26% Drop Two Weeks Prior
- (03/04/2025) FDRA’s Matt Priest Expresses Concern Over President Trump’s Imposed Tariffs Ahead of Joint Address to Congress
- (02/20/2025) A New National Survey Shows 82% of Voters—Including 76% of Republicans—Think Tariffs Will Raise Prices at Everyday Stores
- (02/05/2025) SHOT / CHASER: White House Downplays Inflation Impact of Tariffs, While Experts Show the Higher Receipts
- (02/04/2025) ICYMI: FDRA’s Matt Priest on CNN & CNBC Discussing Tariff Uncertainty and Impact on U.S. Businesses
- (01/15/2025) TOMORROW (1/16): FDRA Hosts Press Call on Tariffs and the Road Ahead for 2025
- (01/01/2025) Statement from Matt Priest, President, and CEO of FDRA, on the Road Ahead in 2025
Press Releases 2024
- (12/17/2024) FDRA’s Q4 Survey Shows 82% of Shoe Executives Brace for Tariff-Driven Cost Surge in 2025, Retail Prices Set to Climb at Record Rate
- (11/27/2024) ICYMI: FDRA’s Matt Priest Speaks on CNN About Trump’s Tariff Impact Ahead of Critical Holiday Shopping Season
- (11/26/2024) FDRA Urges President-Elect Trump to Reconsider Massive Tariffs on Footwear, Highlights Impact on Families and Holiday Budgets
- (11/21/2024) A New National Survey Shows That 55% Of Republicans—And 70% Of All Americans—Think Prices Will Go Up Due To Tariffs
- (11/15/2024) ICYMI: Post-Election, FDRA’s Matt Priest Calls for Renewed Focus on Footwear Tariffs Impacting American Families
- (11/14/2024) FDRA Unveils Holiday 2024 Footwear Shopping Trends: Shifts in Consumer Behavior and Retail Strategies
- (11/06/2024) ELECTION STATEMENT: FDRA’s Matt Priest Congratulates President-Elect Trump and Urges Common Sense Tariff Reform for American Families
- (10/22/2024) ICYMI: Tariffs Dominate Headlines – FDRA’s Matt Priest Warns Footwear Tariffs Are Hitting American Families the Hardest
- (10/11/2024) ICYMI: FDRA President Matt Priest Urges Presidential Candidates to Address Anti-Trade Policies Impacting American Families and Businesses
- (10/07/2024) Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation (FFCF) Returns to NYC for 2nd Annual Shoes for A Cure Charity Shoe Sale, Proceeds Benefitting First Step Breast Cancer Research
- (10/07/2024) FDRA Calls for Stronger Efforts to Combat Counterfeiting in Global Footwear Markets
- (10/03/2024) Statement from Matt Priest, President and CEO of FDRA, on Footwear Industry Preparing for Recovery as Port Strikes End
- (9/10/2024) Statement from Matt Priest, President and CEO of FDRA, Ahead of Presidential Debate
- (9/04/2024) FDRA Unveils Q3 2024 Shoe Executive Business Survey Results: Tariffs and Consumer Behavior Top Concerns
- (6/13/2024) FDRA Hosts Second Successful Sneaker Day on the Hill, Celebrating Footwear Innovation and Industry Leaders
- (6/3/2024) ICYMI: FDRA President & CEO Matt Priest Discusses Footwear Tariffs on Cheddar’s Opening Bell
LETTERS AND RELEASES
- (05/10/2024) Company Letter to President Biden on tariff relief
- (04/11/2024) FDRA Letter to President Biden on footwear tariff relief