The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has strongly opposed the Biden administration’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on nearly all US imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10 percent tariff on all imports from China. These new tariffs come on top of existing levies, further straining businesses and consumers.
“These tariffs are piling up rapidly, creating an unsustainable burden on American businesses and families,” said Steve Lamar, AAFA president and CEO. He warned that increasing trade restrictions, including potential actions against the EU, threaten the 3.5 million American jobs in the apparel and footwear industry. AAFA emphasized the need for trade stability and urged government officials, including US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, to establish safeguards that support balanced trade. Lamar stressed that both American exports and imports are essential for economic growth, providing millions of jobs and affordable consumer goods.
The association also called on the 119th Congress to take an active role in trade policy, ensuring transparency in tariff decisions and reactivating key trade agreements. AAFA has been advocating for the renewal of the Haiti Hope/Help trade program, The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which has been expired for over 50 months.
As uncertainty grows, AAFA continues to push for policies that promote free and fair trade while protecting American businesses from economic instability.
