Tariffs news and archive

U.S. retail braces for tariff disruption as consumers pull forward demand

Fashion and retail professionals are watching closely as fresh U.S. tariff threats begin to ripple through consumer behavior and supply chain strategy. Recent visitation data from Placer.ai suggests that the industry is already feeling the effects. According to Placer.ai, foot traffic in the week of March 24–30, surged at warehouse clubs and...

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China turns inward as U.S. tariffs upend export-driven retail models

As escalating U.S. tariffs reshape the global trade landscape, Beijing is pivoting towards domestic consumption to shore up its export-reliant industries. The move, which carries significant implications for the international fashion supply chain, signals a critical rebalancing of China’s manufacturing-led growth model. In a joint statement...

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French companies resist Paris' call

Paris - Since the publication of the AFP article on Sunday, April 21st, regarding the tensions between major French companies and the political powers — an in-depth piece outlining the positions taken by Bercy to encourage several groups to suspend their American projects — none of the main groups concerned — LVMH, Schneider Electric, CMA CGM —...

Fashion |Opinion Featured

Louis Vuitton is navigating an evolving global luxury landscape

After years of riding high on the back of strong international demand and an unwavering brand ethos, Louis Vuitton finds itself at a strategic inflection point. The French luxury powerhouse, a key pillar of LVMH, is contending with a confluence of macroeconomic pressures and evolving consumer behaviours that threaten to recalibrate the dynamics...

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Swiss watch exports to US soared ahead of Trump tariffs

Swiss watch exports to the key US market soared nearly 14 percent in March, likely the result of retailers stocking up before US President Donald Trump announced his tariffs on countries worldwide. Analysts have warned that Switzerland's storied watchmaking industry could be among the hardest hit by the 31-percent import levies for Swiss goods...

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Inditex: How Trump’s current ‘asymmetric tariffs’ could impact the Spanish mulitnational

Madrid – Of all the possible scenarios, the one emerging from this “pause” of 90 days decreed by US President Donald Trump regarding the new tariff policy of the US, with its “asymmetric tariffs” for China and the EU, appears to be the worst, most unfavourable, and most challenging for the interests of Inditex. What are the reasons? Let's take a...

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First Q1 performances of luxury fashion companies impacted by Trump tariffs and geopolitical tensions

Financial news of the week: Trump Tariffs, Geopolitical Tensions Hit Luxury Sector The first financial results of Q1 2025, reported this week, show that trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty are weighing on the performance of key luxury fashion groups. First Q1 results reveal slowdown across major fashion houses LVMH posted a 3 percent...

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France: intelligent protectionism faced with ultra fast fashion

Paris - Will protectionism become a condition for the survival of the French fashion industry? As the Trump administration relaunched its trade offensive against China in April 2025, imposing massive tariffs on imports, Europe braces for a shockwave that could hit its own market hard. Earlier this week the Fédération Française du Prêt à Porter F...

Fashion

Rosso (Otb) on Made in Italy: ‘Everyone copies us, we must show who we are’

“Europe should be stronger and more cohesive, with strong leaders who can assert our conditions and our distinctive qualities, so as not to be at the mercy of other major powers. We ask for more transparency, loyalty, strength and the will to show our qualities. It is not right that Italy suffers, for all the values that it brings with it. We...

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Shein & Temu to increase prices as tariffs come down on cheap imports

Ultra-fast fashion retailer Shein and Chinese online marketplace Temu are set to increase prices next week as new tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump on apparel and footwear in a bid to limit low-value imports begin. As the tariffs drive up expenses for companies, Temu and Shein issued statements to customers this week stating that...

Podcast

Podcast: 'Trump tariffs herald new era for global trade'

In a striking speech from the Rose Garden, President Donald Trump made his position clear: in his opinion, the era of globalisation is over. He announced sweeping import duties on foreign goods, firmly underscoring his economic course. The measures immediately caused a stir on Wall Street, where stock prices fell sharply. According to Brian...

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Swiss watch exports: US market drives March growth

Zurich - Swiss watch exports rebounded by 1.5 percent in March, climbing to 2.38 billion Swiss francs (2.56 billion euros), driven by watch shipments to the US, the Swiss Watch Federation announced on Thursday. "Across the entire first quarter, however, the trend remains slightly negative, with a decline of 1.1 percent,” the Swiss Watch...