One and half weeks ago, the IAF Board of Directors agreed on and published a statement on the US tariff crisis. The IAF Board members -representing apparel industry associations, apparel manufacturers and global solution suppliers from close to 15 countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas- condemned the tariffs. They stated that: “The punitive tariffs introduced by the US administration on April 2nd, with the highest rates reserved for countries heavily reliant on garment exports to the U.S., represent a direct and unprovoked threat to entire industries. These measures risk destabilizing economies and jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless employees and entrepreneurs in the apparel industry globally, including in the U.S. itself.” There is no possibility for a large scale return of the apparel industry to the US, so high tariffs serve no purpose and only create very heavy taxes on a hugely competitive industry.
The announcement of the 90 day pause and several positive signals about negotiations have created the hope that the height of the tariffs will drop significantly. But on the other hand, the continued application of punitive tariffs on imports from China—one of the world’s largest apparel exporters—remains deeply concerning and underscores the real and ongoing risk of tariff escalation for other nations. Also, what has not been paused is the harm inflicted by the creation of a climate of tariff uncertainty. The uncertainty already leads to business paralysis, with the unpredictability of trade policy putting a brake on discretionary spending, discouraging investment and further undermining market stability and consumer confidence.
Preventing the return of these harmful tariffs must be a top priority—followed by restoring a stable, predictable trade environment. Then, our industry must reduce its vulnerability to sudden policy shifts. This requires expanding the foundation of competitiveness beyond cost alone. The IAF advocates for stronger, smarter, and more sustainable supply chains—anchored more in long-term partnerships, business sense, and mutual interdependence and less dependant on trade political decisions. In line with this, IAF will intensify its global initiatives to empower manufacturers and their associations to act as strategic partners in the industry transition that we need—investing in people, processes, and technology.
Weathering this tariff crisis also requires a joint effort. We therefore urge brands and retailers to work collaboratively with manufacturers by honoring sourcing commitments, maintaining standards, and avoiding cost shifts that threaten supply chain viability.
