Trade

Details of reciprocal tariff review closely watched by AAFA

Feb 24, 2025 United States

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is closely monitoring the reciprocal tariff review announced by the Trump administration. Initial reports are due by the 1st of April

“We appreciate the goal behind this new “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” is to lower foreign tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, and we are pleased that President Trump has ordered a comprehensive review of such foreign policies”, said AAFA President and CEO Stephen Lamar in response to the announcement that immediately suspended additional tariffs.

President Trump has directed the US Secretary of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to report to him by the 1^st of April 2025 on specific tariffs that the country should impose to address bilateral trade deficits with countries that maintain tariffs on US exports that are higher than the level of tariffs that the United States imposes on their products.

However, AAFA remains concerned about “this tariff-heavy approach”. “Putting America first means ensuring predictability for American businesses that create US jobs; affordable options for American consumers who power our economy; opportunities for farmers who feed our families; and support for tens of millions of U.S. workers whose trade-dependent jobs make our factories, our stores, our warehouses, and our offices function”, argued Lamar.

On the contrary, “sweeping new tariffs — a possible outcome of this exercise — instead puts America last, raising costs for American manufacturers for critical inputs and materials, closing key markets for American farmers, and raising prices for hardworking American families”, he concluded.

Image Credits: niesr.ac.uk

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