Tariffs and Their Impacts: How tariffs are reshaping and disrupting the garment industry
Strategic Policy Meets Industry Dynamics
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
- Audience Q&A - 17 : 50
Location: online
Speakers
Julia K. Hughes
President, United States Fashion Industry Association
Pierre Thys
CEO & Founder, Latin America Sourcing (LAS)
Sahar J. Hafeez
Senior Counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Raj Bhala
Leo S. Brenneisen Distinguished Professor , University of Kansas School of Law
Nicole Bivens Collinson
Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
Shruti Singh
Country Head and India Director, Fashion Revolution India and Canopy
Guided Questions
Raj Bhala
From your deep understanding of international trade law, could you explain why the garment and textile industries have recently become focal points in national security discussions, and outline how invoking national security exceptions under WTO rules might influence global trade practices?
Julia K. Hughes
From your position advocating for the U.S. fashion industry, how are apparel companies adjusting their business models and supply chain strategies to navigate the ongoing impacts of tariff policies?
Pierre Thys
Given your extensive experience in apparel supply chains across multiple continents and your leadership at Latin America Sourcing, how do you assess the impact of recent U.S. tariff policies on the competitiveness of Latin American garment manufacturers compared to their Asian counterparts?
Sahar J. Hafeez
From your strategic policy perspective at the White House NSC, how do tariffs in the apparel sector intersect with broader national economic and security interests, and what factors shape the administration’s decision-making in imposing or adjusting these tariffs?
Nicole Bivens Collinson
Given your extensive experience with Section 301 and 232 tariffs, how do you assess their long-term impact on the U.S. garment industry's global competitiveness, particularly concerning supply chain adjustments and compliance challenges?
Shruti Singh
In your report "Craft in the Age of Climate Crisis," you highlight the role of indigenous knowledge in building climate-resilient supply chains. How can fashion brands integrate such traditional practices to enhance sustainability, especially in the face of trade policies like tariffs that may disrupt global supply chains?