Tariffs and Their Impacts: How tariffs are reshaping and disrupting the garment industry
Navigating Market Shifts and Policy Responses
Description
As tariffs rise and trade tensions grow stronger, the global garment industry is in a tough position. The consequences of the United States tariff policies affect supply chains, consumers, and economies of countries. Examine how businesses adjust, how labor forces are impacted, and the future of fashion.
Background
In 2025, the global garment industry stands at a critical juncture, significantly influenced by escalating U.S. tariff policies. These measures, notably the "Liberation Day" tariffs, have imposed substantial duties on apparel imports from key manufacturing nations such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, with rates reaching up to 145%. The immediate consequence of these tariffs is a marked increas…
Date: 2025-05-20
Time (ET): 5:00 PM EDT, May 20, 2025
Time (Local): 9:00 PM UTC, May 20, 2025
Agenda:
- Speaker Welcome Room - 16 : 30
- Guided Discussion - 17: 00
- General Discussion - 17 : 40
- Interactive Q&A - 17 : 50
Location: online
Speakers
Thibault Denamiel
Fellow, Economics Program , Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Dr. Sheng Lu
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware
Safiyya Karim
Activist and Lecturer, Fashion Revolution South Africa
Joshua Teitelbaum
Senior Counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C.
Lisa Anderson
Founder and President, LMA Consulting Group, Inc.
Jeremy Sporn
Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Guided Questions
Safiyya Karim
Considering your focus on workers’ rights and social justice, could you speak about the implications of tariff-induced sourcing shifts for garment workers, and how the industry might ensure these transitions are aligned with fair labor standards and social equity?
Thibault Denamiel
Given your expertise in industrial policy and critical supply chains, can you elaborate on how recent policy uncertainty around tariffs and trade relations is translating into changing consumer patterns or brand loyalty in the apparel sector?
Dr. Sheng Lu
Given your extensive research on global apparel sourcing strategies and international trade policy, could you discuss how tariffs are reshaping fashion companies' sourcing decisions and supply chain strategies, and elaborate on what this means for U.S. consumers?
Joshua Teitelbaum
Given your experience negotiating textile trade agreements, how do you assess the current tariff landscape's long-term impact on U.S. fashion brands' sourcing decisions, competitiveness, and ability to plan strategically for the future?
Lisa Anderson
In your recent discussions on tariff impacts, you've emphasized the importance of supply chain resilience and strategies like reshoring and friendshoring. Could you elaborate on how these approaches can be effectively implemented to mitigate the risks associated with sudden tariff changes, and what role SIOP plays in this context?
Jeremy Sporn
In your recent work on BCG's U.S. Tariff Response for the Fashion & Luxury sector, what specific strategies do you recommend for brands to mitigate the impact of rising tariffs on their supply chains, and how can they maintain competitiveness in both retail and digital markets amidst these trade challenges?