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How Trump's Victory Will Affect Footwear Industry Stomping Grounds

Plus, a New Balance bonfire and some swanky winter boots

By Emily Suzuki - November 10, 2016

in Sneakers

The footwear industry is currently abuzz over yesterday's US election results, particularly when it comes to trade. Industry leaders are concerned that Donald Trump's seemingly tight trade policy will hurt relationships with outside countries. Trump has made his strong feelings against trade deals, including the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)—supported by mega footwear brands like Nike—very clear. It's no secret that the footwear industry heavily relies on international trade, so this could lead affected parties into confusing territory very soon.

Yesterday, Matt Priest, President of Footwear Distributers & Retailers of America, spoke out about what the industry's next steps should be. According to Priest, the footwear industry was pushing for TPP approval before the inauguration, but that clearly wasn't achieved. He believes the footwear industry needs to start building relationships with the Trump administration now in order to establish common ground early on. Since many of Trump's opinions are still unclear, Priest seems to be keeping a fairly positive attitude.

Here's what a couple other footwear executives have to say on the matter:

“Fortunately, [President-elect] Trump has a very strong vice president that understands Congress and Washington. I think he could leave a lot to Mike Pence. I think Trump will do what has to be done first. I don’t think he’s going to think trade is No. 1 — the economy and jobs are No. 1.” —Bob Campbell, Chairman & CEO, BBC International LLC

“Footwear is one of the most traded products globally, and so much of the industry depends on access to consumers and access to supply chain in order to stay competitive. We have a lot of high duties and trade barriers in the U.S., and so we’re going to be looking for ways that we can tackle those duties and barriers. Brand protection [is also important], and making sure that the value that we attribute to innovation and to our brands and to the intellectual property is protected in both the United States and around the world. I would hope that President-elect Trump — as someone who understands the power of a brand — would really see this as an area where he could spend some time.” —Stephen Lamar, EVP, American Apparel & Footwear Association

The only footwear company currently known to be supporting Trump's trade views is New Balance—and they're taking major heat for it. Really though, here's a video of someone burning their New Balance sneakers.

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Once Trump is in office, if things pan out the way many footwear executives are expecting, footwear won't be the only design industry affected. Stay tuned.

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Oh, by the way, winter is coming faster than Trump's inauguration. You might want some of these cool winter boots. With the flip of a switch on the inside of the sole, Gripforce boots magically transform into ice boots. They definitely could have used these in Game of Thrones.

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1stlvl Humanoid

8 years ago

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Hey America! Let's burn Made in the USA products to protest a president who wants to renegotiate trade deals to encourage American manufacturing. What an idiot.

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- Andrew Paul
  
  1stlvl Humanoid
  
  8 years ago
  
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  New Balance only manufactures %25 of their shoes in the US - WAAAAAY down from 15 years ago. But, sure, get on your high horse about something you know nothing about!
  
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  - 1stlvl Humanoid
    
    Andrew Paul
    
    7 years ago
    
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    I believe the ones he was burning were made in the U.S. so my point stands! And I don't know nothing about it..I know that New Balance is a footwear manufacturer that makes shoes in the U.S. even if it is some percentage below 100% so your statement is false!
    
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- Lucca Zeray
  
  1stlvl Humanoid
  
  8 years ago
  
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  new balance has publicly supported and endorsed trump.
  
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