Back-to-School Costs to Soar Due to New Tariffs | JQJO

New tariffs on imported clothing and shoes from Asia are expected to significantly increase back-to-school costs for US families. The American Apparel & Footwear Association warns that the 32-54% tariffs on goods from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia will likely be passed on to consumers. Price increases are predicted for various items, including children's shoes (a $26 pair potentially rising to $41). Retailers with strong brands and negotiating power may fare better than those heavily reliant on Asian imports. The lack of domestic manufacturing capacity means reviving the US garment industry is impractical in the short term.