AAFA Slams Trump’s Tariff Stance On Apparel
U.S. President Donald Trump has clarified that his tariff policies are aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of advanced technologies and military equipment—not everyday consumer goods like sneakers and T-shirts.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, Trump stated, “We’re not looking to make sneakers and T-shirts. We want to make military equipment. We want to make big things. We want to do the AI thing.” He added, “I’m not looking to make T-shirts, to be honest. I’m not looking to make socks. We can do that very well in other locations. We are looking to do chips and computers and lots of other things, and tanks and ships.”
Trump’s remarks echoed those of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who on April 29 downplayed the importance of a “booming textile industry.” Bessent’s comments drew sharp criticism from the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), which advocates for the domestic textile sector.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) also pushed back strongly, warning that the administration’s tariff strategy could have adverse effects. “With 97% of the clothes and shoes we wear being imported, and with clothes and shoes already the most highly tariffed industry in the U.S., we need to focus on common sense solutions that can move the needle,” said AAFA President Steve Lamar. “More tariffs will only mean higher input costs for U.S. manufacturers and higher prices that will hurt lower income consumers.”
The comments have sparked a renewed debate over the role of the textile and apparel industry in U.S. manufacturing policy, particularly amid growing concerns about economic equity and global supply chain resilience.
