Footwear giants Nike and Adidas call on Trump to drop tariffs on shoes

Could Trump’s tariffs kick the industry off balance?

Top footwear brands like Nike, Adidas, and Skechers are banding together to urge Donald Trump to ease off on shoe tariffs.

In a letter dated April 29, the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) called on the former president to exempt footwear from the sweeping reciprocal tariffs he recently introduced.

The appeal was signed by 76 major companies, including Under Armour, Capri Holdings, VF Corp, and Deckers Brands.

The FDRA warned that tariffs already heavily impact the industry, particularly children's shoes, which are subject to base rates of 20%, 37.5%, or even more and that’s before the new levies take effect.

The Trump administration introduced broad tariffs this April, with some Chinese imports now facing a staggering 145% duty.

China’s Commerce Ministry said it's “evaluating” an offer from Washington to re-enter talks about the crushing tariffs.

The looming uncertainty has already rattled the industry. Adidas, despite strong Q1 earnings, held back on raising its 2025 financial projections.

Skechers took it a step further and withdrew its full-year forecast entirely, blaming “the Trump administration's erratic trade policy.”

The letter issued a stark warning: “Given the nature of the U.S. footwear industry, American footwear businesses and families face an existential threat from such substantial cost increases. Hundreds of businesses face the prospect of closure.”

The coalition is pushing for “a more targeted approach, focused on strategic items rather than basic consumer goods.”