Can you hear us now?
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), alongside more than 80 leading U.S. footwear companies, sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to exempt footwear from the administration’s new reciprocal tariffs. The letter warns that without swift relief, the tariffs could force hundreds of businesses to close, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, and drive up costs for hardworking American families.
“Our industry is uniquely vulnerable,” the letter states. “With some of the highest tariff rates already in place—especially on children’s and low-cost shoes—these new tariffs are simply unsustainable. They won’t bring manufacturing back, but they will hurt families at the register.”
The letter includes strong support from major brands like Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Steve Madden, and Under Armour, among others. FDRA calls on the administration to act quickly and remove footwear from the tariff list to avoid severe economic consequences for workers and consumers.
Read the full letter here: FDRA Letter to President Trump – April 2025
Matt Priest, president/CEO of FDRA, is leading the industry charge to end the trade war.
