The U.S. trading partners have been at the center of attention for weeks as the U.S. government has been weighing its options on imposing additional import duties. After the initial excitement and concern, the situation has become clearer, and the picture seems to be taking shape. As of Wednesday, President Donald Trump has reversed part of his plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The president has now placed a 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariff plans and opted for a universal 10 percent rate for all trade partners except China. However, the new 10 percent rate has not entirely alleviated the concerns of the U.S. shoe industry. For many mid-tier and luxury footwear brands that produce in Europe, the uncertainty remains a significant concern. Market Impact
The initial sales for the season have already fallen by about 20 percent due to the possible rise in tariffs. Companies have begun to negotiate with American importers to prepare for what could happen next. The sector estimates that at least another 10 percent of business will be lost.

• European Footwear Groups
• Italian Footwear Industry
• Portuguese Footwear Association

European Union Response

The European Union has been working together to respond to Trump’s moves, and European footwear groups must band together as well. The Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries (FICE) and the national association representing industrial shoemakers in Italy, Assocalzaturifici, share the same concerns about the impact of the tariffs on the European footwear industry.

Italian Concerns

Giovanna Ceolini, president of the Micam footwear tradeshow and Assocalzaturifici, stated that the tariffs announced by Donald Trump have been viewed with great concern, as they could represent yet another serious blow to Italian footwear. The exposure of the footwear industry to U.S. tariff barriers has already been a critical issue, with Italian footwear exports decreasing 4.9 percent in 2024 from the prior year to 1.388 billion euros.

Portuguese Perspective

The Portuguese footwear association APICCAPS has a different stance on the issue. Despite the concerns, they reject protectionist measures and advocate for free, fair, and balanced trade. However, they were prepared for this moment and are finalizing a significant investment in areas such as automation, robotics, and sustainability.

“From a principled standpoint, we reject protectionist measures. On the contrary, we always advocate for free, fair, and balanced trade,” said a spokesperson for APICCAPS. “The footwear sector will not give up on the market. Considering that the resources at our disposal are not unlimited, international promotion efforts necessitate an efficient allocation of resources.”

Portuguese Strategic Market

Portugal considers the U.S. a strategic market, ranking as the sixth destination for its exports. Over the last decade, Portuguese exports to the U.S. have doubled, reaching nearly 100 million euros by the end of 2024. The footwear sector will not give up on the market, and the association believes that the resources at their disposal are necessary for their industry. The association is working to allocate resources efficiently to promote their products internationally.

Conclusion

The U.S. shoe industry’s concerns over the new 10 percent rate are valid. European footwear groups must band together to address the impact of the tariffs on the industry. The Portuguese footwear association’s stance on the issue highlights the need for a balanced approach to trade. The footwear sector will not give up on the market, but they need to be proactive in allocating resources to promote their products internationally.