Core Insights - The US apparel sector is advocating for a non-stacking tariff model similar to Japan and the EU, along with the removal of tariffs on manufacturing inputs and machinery [1][2] - The sector emphasizes the need for new measures to be phased in with adequate lead time for enforcement agencies and supply chains to adapt [2] - The submission highlights the significant reliance of the sector on trade, with 97% of clothes and shoes in the US being imported [4] Tariff and Trade Policies - Existing tariff programs create uncertainty for sourcing and planning, including Section 301 tariffs on China and proposed tariffs on Nicaragua and personal protective equipment [3][4] - The domestic tariff policy shows high trade-weighted average tariff rates for various apparel categories, with knit apparel at 14.9% and woven apparel at 14.29% in 2024 [6] - Duties collected on imports of apparel, footwear, textiles, and travel goods exceeded $18.3 billion in 2024, representing 4.78% of all US imports by value [7] Economic Impact - Approximately 70-75% of the value of US imported apparel reflects US value added through design, marketing, compliance, logistics, and retail [5] - The industry is projected to support around 3.6 million US apparel and footwear jobs in 2025, dependent on these value chains [5] - Barriers such as tariffs and quotas are reported to raise costs, reduce sales, cause delays, and lead to job losses in the sector [4]