With higher tariffs, US consumers have to pay more for sports footwear and apparel. Sports equipment, headgear and components are also tagged for new tariffs.

The sports and fitness industry in the US, comprising more than 1000 sporting goods and fitness brands, manufacturers, retailers and marketers, wants to discourage the US from increasing import duties on Chinese products, as China plays a crucial role for many American manufacturers. For the US sports and fitness industry, China has become one of the most important production source countries, with companies from every sector selling goods to the US market. The booming sports and fitness industry in the United States employs more than 3,75,000 people and generates $150 billion of revenue in the domestic wholesale business.

The new 10 per cent tariffs are set to take effect in two stages this year, September 1 and December 15. This will be the fourth round of tariffs to be imposed by the US on Chinese-made products. Footwear majors in the US are disappointed by the tariffs on Chinese imports. Since higher tariffs will raise the cost of shoes, they would like footwear to be removed from the proposed list of Chinese imports with higher tariffs. Almost 70 per cent of shoes sold in the US come from China. Duties of over 67 per cent apply on footwear imported from China.