U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told a meeting of the American Apparel and Footwear Association March 12 that the Obama administration is not supporting legislation that would eliminate most tariffs on imported footwear.
Supporters of the Affordable Footwear Act, which includes Outdoor Industry Association, note that the duties amount to a regressive tax that hurts low-income consumers.
According to several media accounts, Kirk told the AAFA that the administrations focus is on increasing exports, not imports. While acknowledging that reducing tariffs could lead to lower prices for U.S. consumers, Kirk said the bill essentially grants Chinese footwear makers a $1.5 billion trade benefit.
He said Congress was unlikely to approve such legislation without getting something in exchange from China.
