There is, in fact, an uptick in companies inquiring about what it would take to implement U.S. shoe production. In a recent catch up with Oka Brands’ Harward earlier this year, more interest in made in the USA footwear is increasing due to Trump’s new tariff plans.
Harward noted that before 2024, the pandemic and its accompanying supply chain meltdown had already spurred strong interest in local manufacturing. On top of that, more brands have been keen to cut down on carbon emissions from air fuel and have more control over their supply chain. Given the long development cycle for footwear manufacturing, the brands that have recently launched U.S. based manufacturing projects and partnerships are likely a result of this post-pandemic push.
Trump indicated that he’s open to considering a bilateral trade deal with the Asian nation. “Just had a very productive call with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who told me that Vietnam wants to cut their Tariffs down to ZERO if they are able to make an agreement with the U.S.” he wrote. “I thanked him on behalf of our Country, and said I look forward to a meeting in the near future.”
Read the article.