The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has clarified that analysis of the Tranche 4A and 4B lists of products, which will be hit with an additional 10 per cent tariff on September 1 and December 15, shows that many claims made by the US Administration are ‘confusing and not supported by action’ and the tax will hurt every American. Seventy seven per cent of all apparel, footwear and home textile products imported to the United States from China will be hit with an additional 10 per cent tariff on September 1, amounting to approximately $39 billion worth of goods. Twenty three per cent of such products—worth $12 billion—will be hit with an additional 10 per cent tariff on December 15. “By no means is this a win or a de-escalation,” said Rick Helfenbein, president and chief executive officer of AAFA. “Contrary to the headlines, the Grinch has stolen the Christmas selling season for our industry,” Helfenbein said in a statement released by AAFA. “The administration claims to have removed products from the list for reasons of ‘health, safety, national security, and other factors;’ however it is hard to see how this logic was applied since items like infant apparel, allergy-resistant bedding, and protective footwear are still on the list. Meanwhile, items that were removed from previous tariff lists are now being freshly taxed, including items like machinery and textiles used to make products in America,” he added.
