Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, criticised the use of punitive tariffs by the Trump administration on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
According to him, this move is likely to result not only in inflationary costs, but also retaliation by the country’s trading partners.
Canada, the European Union, and Mexico are the three largest markets for exports of Made in USA apparel.
Canada and the EU are the top two markets for Made in USA footwear.
The ability to export Made in USA product is essential for the health of the domestic manufacturing industry.
The tariffs will be detrimental for American companies and workers. They will not only inflate prices throughout the economy but also hurt job growth.
