The imposition of tariffs by US President Donald J. Trump on imports from Canada and Mexico is expected to impact the fashion industry, though not as severely as other sectors. Fashion-related categories, including textiles, apparel, and footwear, rank relatively low on the list of affected imports.
Among the notable categories, hides and skins accounted for an import value of approximately $600 million, while footwear imports reached $1.3 billion. Textiles and apparel imports were valued higher, at $6.9 billion, though still below essential goods like food. For comparison, toys and sporting goods stood at $1.9 billion.
One significant consequence of these tariffs is the increase in product prices, as businesses transfer some of the additional costs to consumers. While fashion may not be the most heavily targeted sector, rising prices on necessities like food—63% of vegetables and 47% of fruit and nuts consumed in the US are imported from Mexico—leave consumers with less money to spend on discretionary purchases such as clothing and footwear.
Matt Priest, President and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), highlighted the impact on the footwear industry. He revealed that footwear sales dropped by 26.2% during the week ending February 22, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. This data, collected from a survey of over 3,000 stores, indicates a nationwide decline in sales. Priest noted that this steep drop reflects more than just a standard business fluctuation. He attributed it to shifting consumer sentiment and behaviors driven by soaring inflation and concerns about how new tariffs may further elevate prices.
Additionally, President Trump has identified the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, Canada, and South Korea as countries targeted for reciprocal tariffs, extending the broader implications of his trade policies beyond North American imports.
While the fashion industry may not bear the brunt of these tariffs, the ripple effects of rising costs across essential goods and manufacturing are likely to shape consumer spending behaviors, posing challenges for retailers in the months ahead.
