October 14: ... A better way to use tariff policy to promote U.S. jobs is to find strategic ways to reduce the tariff burden. Negotiating new free trade agreements is a proven way to accomplish this goal ... A faster approach, which the U.S. can accomplish unilaterally, would involve cutting tariffs on goods that contain U.S. content. (Source: The Hill, op-ed from AAFA's Steve Lamar)

October 14: Twenty-one months after President Donald Trump took office, China still does not know which of his top advisers has the most influence over the president’s handling of increasingly fraught trade tensions with Beijing, Cui Tiankai, China’s ambassador to the United States, said Sunday. (Source: Politico)

October 12: ... “Tranche 4 is coming,” said Steve Lamar, executive vice president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. “The president has, on multiple occasions, indicated that if the Chinese retaliate on the previous tranches, he will retaliate with the rest of trade … He’s promised this a number of times and the Chinese have retaliated, so it’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to carry through with that, and we believe that he will.” (Source: Sourcing Journal - login required)

October 15: Shopping is changing and so is customer behaviour. Here are the ways that the retail industry will be heading towards in the future. (Source: Wired)

October 15: Artificial intelligence is truly everywhere, even in your shoes ... I checked out whether I'll be trading in my Dr. Martens for 3D-printed sandals any time soon. (Source: PC Magazine)

October: To meet customers’ needs, apparel companies need to focus on nearshoring, automation, and sustainability. (Source: McKinsey)

October 16: ... In the complaint filed last week, Michael Kors explained that certain areas of New York City have long been major distribution hubs for counterfeit goods that are then sold throughout the US. (Source: World IP Review)

October 11: ... This article is the first in a series, entitled, “Counterfeiting: The Big of Fakes,” which endeavors to examine the state of counterfeiting in 2018 in the United States and beyond in connection with everything from luxury and high fashion products to the black market for automobiles and cigarettes. (Source: The Fashion Law)

October 8: ... Retailers and the technology providers servicing them are looking for innovative ways to combat the worldwide epidemic of counterfeit goods. (Source: Retail Dive)

Member webinars this fall: AAFA invites you to join us for two upcoming member-only webinars, including:

October 31: NAFTA to USMCA – A Deep Dive with AAFA
In this member-only webinar, AAFA’s trade experts will discuss what the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) means for your business and the industry at large.
Register now.

November 8: Midterm Election Results & What's Ahead
Immediately following the 2018 midterm elections, AAFA leadership will take a first look at what those results mean for the country and for the policies affecting your business.
Register now.

Hurricane Michael disaster relief: AAFA members are invited to help support donations following the impacts of Hurricane Michael. Two ways to help: 1) Two Ten is offering emergency financial assistance, information, referral services, and counseling to footwear employees and their families affected. For more information, visit twoten.org or dial (800) 346-3210. 2) Delivering Good also seeks your help with product donations at this time of great need – email product@Delivering-Good.org or call (646) 362-9088 to help! Visit delivering-good.org to learn more.