How apparel can plan for the Trump Show Season 2

13-1-2025

HOW APPAREL CAN PLAN FOR THE TRUMP SHOW SEASON 2

There are warning signs that President-elect Donald Trump's second term could be more disruptive to the fashion supply chain than his first.

We all know the countdown is on for Trump’s return to office (20 January if you’ve managed to miss it), and he’s already taking more than his fair share of global headlines.

In just one week the news was awash with his threat to grab Greenland from Denmark by financial or even military means for “national security” reasons and the “unconditional discharge” verdict from his hush money court trial.

In a turn of events for apparel, there were reports of Trump’s advisors planning a new streamlined tariff plan that would potentially see duties being applied to selective sectors deemed vital for national or economic security as opposed to all industries.

Crucially, there was no mention of apparel being on the new selective list  — which for a few hours at least  — made it seem like the sector could avoid being in the immediate firing line.

However, in typical Trump fashion he quickly turned to his social media platform Truth Social to condemn the reports that had quoted his aides as sources. In fact, he went as far as to dub The Washington Post’s original article as “fake news”.

The president and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) Steve Lamar reminded Just Style: “There is still little clarity about exactly how the incoming Administration will announce its new tariff policies”.

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While, United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)’s president Julie Hughes added: “No one likes uncertainty but it is the reality for at least the next few weeks”.

And it’s not just Trump’s approach to tariffs that will impact the global apparel industry. We will all be watching closely to see how he plans to tackle supply chain challenges around the world.

The Panama Canal’s high shipping fees, which Trump calls “ridiculous” as well as the ongoing supply chain issues in the region appear to be top of his hitlist, but of course this could change.

He warned on his social media platform that he will “demand” the Panama Canal be returned to the US if the country cannot ensure the “secure, efficient and reliable operation of the channel”.

An industry expert told Just Style it is just “threats” but suggested he could “exert pressure on Panama to reduce shipping and transit costs”.

Why apparel should embrace the certainty of Trump’s unpredictability

So, how can the global apparel sector prepare for the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s 2.0 presidency?

The fashion supply chain is adept at tackling short- and long-term disruptions. The global pandemic was a real lesson in navigating uncertainty and the fashion industry managed to show its resilience during those difficult times.

Trump is predictably unpredictable, which although frustrating, does mean sourcing executives can plot out how to navigate the most extreme potential impacts to the supply chain.

Similarly, he has been in power before, which arguably makes it easier to predict what these most extreme actions could be.

His unfiltered stream of consciousness will continue to spark controversy, but again this is another certainty the sector can weave into its supply chain plans.

Taking a step back from national and international news could be a wise move as mainstream publications will continue to generate scaremongering headlines out of his outrageous comments.

Instead, fashion sourcing executives should keep a much closer eye on the Trump administration’s actions as well as follow Just Style’s in-depth analysis of the direct impacts to the fashion supply chain.

Trump will be in power for four years – that is another certainty for the sector to work with – and thanks to the 22nd Amendment to the US constitution he cannot run for president for a third term.

Meanwhile, the impacts of climate change, the importance of having key global supply chain partnerships, understanding advances in AI and improving ESG are all cross-political and cross-border issues that will be here for many years to come.

By Just Style

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