AAFA Says Inflation Numbers Should Lead to Lowered Tariffs

The American Apparel and Footwear Association, after the government Consumer Price Index for January showed apparel prices up 5.1% and footwear prices 6.1% higher compared with January 2021, is arguing for an "immediate elimination and refund of punitive Section 301 tariffs on U.S. imports from China." CEO Steve Lamar asked the Biden administration Feb. 10 "to pursue swift and effective policies to immediately alleviate the increasingly overwhelming costs on companies and address the shipping crisis," and to get involved with the port labor negotiations for West Coast ports. That contract expires this summer.

Lamar asked Congress to move swiftly to renew the Generalized System of Preferences and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill trade preference programs, and to pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. All are in at least one chamber's version of its China package. The two chambers are expected to negotiate their differences in those packages, but one leading legislator estimated it could take until late May to reach agreement. Lamar also praised the Shop Safe Act provisions in the America Competes Act, the House's China package.