Leading footwear companies, including Nike, Adidas, and Skechers, have united in urging Donald Trump to reconsider imposing tariffs on shoes.
In a letter dated April 29, the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), representing 76 prominent brands such as Under Armour, VF Corp, Deckers, and Capri Holdings, appealed to the former president to exclude footwear from the recently announced reciprocal tariffs.
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The FDRA highlighted that the footwear industry is already burdened by high base tariffs—especially on children’s shoes, which can exceed 37.5%—and that the new levies would only worsen the situation.
The Trump administration raised tariffs on some Chinese goods to 145% earlier this April, prompting China’s Commerce Ministry to say it is reviewing Washington’s invitation to resume talks.
The uncertainty is already affecting business forecasts. While Adidas has held off on updating its 2025 projections despite strong Q1 results, Skechers has withdrawn its annual forecast entirely, citing unpredictability in U.S. trade policy.
The FDRA’s letter warned that steep tariffs threaten the survival of many American footwear businesses and would significantly raise costs for consumers. The group advocated for a more strategic approach to tariffs, targeting specific sectors rather than everyday consumer products.
