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76 footwear brands urge Donald Trump to exempt shoes from tariffs

May 5, 2025 United States

Nike, Skechers, Crocs, adidas, Puma, Caleres, VF Corp and Wolverine Worldwide are among the 76 companies that are urging the US administration to exempt footwear from the tariffs, fearing rising costs

Given that President Trump said earlier this month that he might consider exempting some companies from the tariffs because they are “hit a little bit harder”, the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) organisation is urging the administration to exempt footwear from the reciprocal tariffs in a letter signed by the 76 companies.

“We are hit particularly hard by the tariff actions, because the US government already places a significant tariff burden on our industry before any new tariffs are added. For example, children’s shoes often have rates of 20%, 37.5%, and higher, before accounting for the reciprocal tariffs”, reads the letter.

As a result, many American footwear companies will have to pay a tariff ranging from more than 150% to nearly 220%. In addition, as most of these companies make affordable shoes for hard-working low- and middle-income families, they can neither absorb such high tariffs nor pass on these costs. “Without immediate relief from the reciprocal tariffs, they will simply shutter”.

The FDRA also stresses that the tariffs will not drive footwear manufacturing back to the US, because it takes significant capital investment and years of planning to shift sourcing.

“The American footwear industry does not have months to adjust business models and supply chains while absorbing this unprecedented and unforeseen tariff regime. Many of our companies do not know how, or even if, they are going to pay the costs of already shipped merchandise now arriving on US shores”.

“We are deeply concerned about imminent US footwear job losses, added costs for consumers, and reduced consumer spending that will fundamentally hamper our industry and harm the entire US economy”, concludes the FDRA, which urges the administration to take a more targeted approach, focusing on strategic items rather than basic consumer goods.

The letter was signed by 76 companies, including adidas, Caleres, Crocs, Genesco, Nike, Puma, Rocky Brands, Skechers, Steve Madden, Under Armour, VF Corp and Wolverine Worldwide.

Image Credits: Ben Mater on Unsplash

United States Economy FDRA Footwear Shoes Tariffs