The opposition from prominent American trade bodies, including the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), the National Retail Federation (NRF), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), against the idea of imposing higher tariffs on apparel imports from Bangladesh and other countries, underscores several key concerns.
Firstly, they emphasize that ultimately, it is the end-consumers in the United States who bear the brunt of additional tariffs through increased prices on apparel items. This highlights the potential negative impact on American consumers’ purchasing power and affordability.
Secondly, the trade bodies argue that higher tariffs would adversely affect the cost competitiveness of source countries, including Bangladesh, which is a significant exporter of apparel products to the US market. Such tariffs could disrupt trade flows and hinder the ability of apparel brands and retailers to diversify their supply chains effectively.
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