US footwear brands warn Trump increased tariffs will be 'catastrophic'

Nearly 200 leading shoe brands in the United States are urging President Trump to drop footwear from the list of products to be hit with higher tariffs, warning that the increased duties will be “catastrophic” for consumers, companies, and the U.S. economy.

“Any action taken to increase duties on Chinese footwear will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on American individuals and families,” the brands, which include heavyweights Adidas, Nike, and Skechers, wrote in an open letter to the president Monday. “It will also threaten the very economic viability of many companies in our industry.”