Concern in Brazil. USA imposes 25% tariff on Brazilian footwear imports
The measure has caused concern in the Brazilian footwear industry, as it significantly reduces the competitiveness of its products compared with other international suppliers, such as Asian exporters.
The decision was made within the framework of an investigation carried out under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act. Despite efforts by U.S. entities, companies, importers and retailers, the footwear sector was not included in the list of products covered by exemptions from the measure.
The executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira, stated that the decision represents a setback for a trade relationship built over decades. “The application of this additional tariff significantly reduces the competitiveness of Brazilian footwear in the United States and makes many operations unfeasible that were being reactivated after the end of the additional 40% tariff in February of this year. This measure harms not only Brazilian exporters, but also U.S. importers, brands, retailers and consumers, given the productive and commercial interdependence between both countries,” he explained.
Despite different studies and claims submitted by Brazilian authorities and technical professionals from the sector, no positive results have yet been achieved to review the measure. This effort received technical and institutional support from a U.S. consulting firm, as well as from representatives of the U.S. footwear supply chain. In this regard, representatives of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) also spoke out against the application of the tariff on Brazilian footwear, along with U.S. importers and retailers represented by JPT Group LLC, Bernardo Footwear and Dillard’s Inc.
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