Asian Apparel Giants Seek Tariff Relief Through Talks With Trump Administration
April 7, 2025 — In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping new tariffs on fashion and footwear imports, several leading Asian apparel manufacturing nations have expressed a willingness to negotiate rather than retaliate, in an effort to avoid the economic impact of the new trade measures.
Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and India — key suppliers to global fashion brands like Nike — have all indicated they are open to talks and possible trade concessions. Vietnam, the second-largest exporter of clothing and footwear to the U.S. after China, went a step further by proposing to remove all tariffs on U.S. imports. In an April 5 letter obtained by Bloomberg, To Lam, Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, appealed directly to Trump, asking for a 45-day delay to the proposed 46% tariff on Vietnamese imports.
The tariffs, which are set to go into effect on April 9, have sent shockwaves through the fashion industry. The measures disproportionately affect countries that have become vital alternatives to China for fashion sourcing amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising production costs.
Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Taiwan have also stated that they will not retaliate and are open to negotiations. Malaysia, in particular, has contested the U.S. calculations on import barriers and suggested that ASEAN countries should consider a coordinated response.
China, however, has taken a tougher stance. As the largest apparel and footwear exporter to the U.S., China responded with retaliatory tariffs of its own on Friday, signaling a more confrontational approach.
While U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated on Sunday that the tariffs “will not be postponed” and will stay in effect for the “coming days and weeks,” Trump’s trade history leaves room for speculation. He has previously reversed tariff decisions when presented with concessions from trade partners.
As the April 9 deadline looms, industry stakeholders and global markets are closely watching whether diplomatic efforts from Asia’s apparel giants can prompt a shift in U.S. policy.
