Mexican state accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over new shoe, threatens legal action
Isa Cardona
,
Veronica Calderon
,
Michael Rios
, CNN
Adidas is yet to issue a statement addressing the controversy. (File photo)
Photo:
123rf
The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly unveiled shoe that resembles a traditional handmade sandal.
The "Oaxaca Slip-On," billed as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole - and, in the eyes of the Oaxaca government, bears more than a passing resemblance to the "huarache" handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag.
Oaxacan Governor Salomón Jara Cruz accused the company of copying the Yalalag design without asking permission or crediting the community.
He also demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design.
"This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original (people) and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise," he said in a video posted on X.
He pledged "legal support" for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and said he had already spoken with members of the community about taking action against the footwear company.
Adidas did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Neither has it issued a public statement addressing the controversy.
One option for the Oaxacan government would be to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection.
Were the IMPI to rule in favor of Oaxaca, it could potentially block Adidas from selling the shoe in Mexico.
The shoe has not yet been released for sale to the public, but images of it have circulated widely online.
Chavarría is known for incorporating Mexican-American identity into his fashion work. CNN has reached out to him for comment.
The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission.
In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works.
In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences.
- CNN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 days ago
- RNZ News
Mexican state accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over new shoe, threatens legal action
By Isa Cardona , Veronica Calderon , Michael Rios , CNN Adidas is yet to issue a statement addressing the controversy. (File photo) Photo: 123rf The Mexican state of Oaxaca is threatening legal action against Adidas, accusing the footwear company of cultural appropriation over a newly unveiled shoe that resembles a traditional handmade sandal. The "Oaxaca Slip-On," billed as a collaboration between American designer Willy Chavarria and Adidas Originals, features a woven leather surface, open heel, and thick rubber sole - and, in the eyes of the Oaxaca government, bears more than a passing resemblance to the "huarache" handmade sandal from the Oaxacan community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag. Oaxacan Governor Salomón Jara Cruz accused the company of copying the Yalalag design without asking permission or crediting the community. He also demanded that Adidas withdraw the shoe, engage in talks with the Indigenous community and publicly recognize the Yalalag as the originators of the design. "This is not just a design, it is about the culture, history and identity of an original (people) and we will not allow it to be treated as merchandise," he said in a video posted on X. He pledged "legal support" for Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, and said he had already spoken with members of the community about taking action against the footwear company. Adidas did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment. Neither has it issued a public statement addressing the controversy. One option for the Oaxacan government would be to file a formal complaint with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), Mexico's federal agency for intellectual property protection. Were the IMPI to rule in favor of Oaxaca, it could potentially block Adidas from selling the shoe in Mexico. The shoe has not yet been released for sale to the public, but images of it have circulated widely online. Chavarría is known for incorporating Mexican-American identity into his fashion work. CNN has reached out to him for comment. The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in Mexico where Indigenous communities have accused international designers and brands of replicating their work without permission. In recent years, companies like Zara, Anthropologie and Patowl have faced similar backlashes over designs or motifs perceived as too similar to traditional works. In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences. - CNN
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- NZ Herald
America's punishing new tariffs now operational on more than 90 countries
Trump's tariffs have indeed helped generate money — roughly US$152 billion ($255b) in customs collections through July, recent data show — but his policies have not been without consequence. A growing number of businesses have warned recently that they may no longer be able to stomach the rising costs of key foreign components. As a result, prices have started to climb. The latest monthly measure of inflation showed that appliances, clothing and furnishings became more expensive in June. The economy has grown but at an anaemic pace, and some analysts predict little improvement through the remainder of the year. The labour market has experienced its own strains, with hiring sharply slowing in July. Olu Sonola, the head of US economic research at Fitch Ratings, said the economy was just 'starting to see' the effects of the tariffs that Trump announced in the northern spring, adding that with Trump's newest duties now in place, Americans would 'see that magnified' in coming months. The tariffs start at 15%, targeting imports from countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Iceland, and Nigeria. Others, like Taiwan, have a 20% tax applied to items sold to US buyers. Trump also imposed a much higher 50% tariff on some goods from Brazil. He has cast it as punishment for Brazil's decision to prosecute his political ally Jair Bolsonaro, the country's former president, for seeking to stay in power after losing an election. And today, Trump said he would raise tariffs on India to 50% by late August for buying Russian oil. The President has signalled he could impose similar penalties on other countries, as he looks for ways to use trade policy to pressure Russia into halting its war against Ukraine. In general, the duties do not apply to foreign goods that have been loaded onto ships just before the deadline. Those products in transit won't be subject to new taxes so long as they enter the US before early October, perhaps opening the door for importers to amass more inventory before the steepest rates cut into their bottom lines. Many smaller countries' exports have faced 10% tariffs since the President first announced, then suspended, his initial tranche of policies in April. Others have staved off eye-watering rates after brokering deals with the US that set their tariffs generally between 15% and 20%. That includes the 27-member EU, as well as Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Each of those governments promised to open its market to US goods, and in some cases they pledged to invest billions of dollars in American industries. But the exact terms of those deals remain murky. Separately, Trump imposed a 35% tariff on goods from Canada not covered by the existing US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. The Canadian levies took effect on Friday. Similarly high rates have been suspended for Mexico while the two sides keep talking. And duties on Chinese goods remain at 30% under an agreement brokered between the superpowers this year, though the truce is set to expire on Tuesday. The rates that took effect today are unlikely to be the final chapter in Trump's expanding trade war, which faces a series of legal challenges in federal courts. He still plans to impose additional tariffs on foreign-made medicines, computer chips, and other products. Trump said the forthcoming tariffs on semiconductors, which have not been formally announced, would be set at 100%. The President shared his thinking at a White House event alongside Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, which had pledged to invest an additional US$100b in the US. Trump signalled that the taxes may be relaxed on companies seeking to produce more of the critical high-tech chips domestically. Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, today. Photo / Getty Images The President also dismissed evidence that his policies may be upsetting the US economy, claiming instead that 'costs are way down' and that the country would experience 'unprecedented' growth. He previously insisted that foreigners were bearing the brunt of his tariffs, and he moved last week to fire the top official who oversees the government's jobs report, claiming without evidence that its data had been rigged to harm him politically. The President's new tariffs send the average US effective tariff rate to above 18%, the highest level since 1934, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University. For American households, those duties may add up to price increases, resulting in an average annual loss of US$2400, the Yale research centre found. And for the broader economy, it could translate to a drop in output, shaving off half a percentage point in growth starting in 2025. Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Analytics, said the tariffs threatened to create an environment that was 'very stagflation-esque', referring to the risk of a stagnant economy with inflationary prices. That, he said, would add to the challenge facing the Federal Reserve at a time when Trump is demanding lower interest rates. 'Growth is slowing,' Zandi said. 'It's happening, and it's going to become much more obvious.' So far, the US economy has sidestepped the most dire predictions of a recession. But many experts say it was always going to be a matter of time before tariffs unleashed real, noticeable effects, especially because many businesses stockpiled imports before the steepest rates took effect. Matthew Martin, a senior economist at Oxford Economics, said businesses had worked their way through those inventories since the President announced, but quickly suspended, his original slate of steep tariffs in April. With tariffs climbing again, Marin continued, so will prices: 'That is something that's going to accelerate over the next couple months'. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Written by: Tony Romm ©2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES
NZ Herald
31-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Trump warns Canada trade deal at risk over Palestine recognition
France was the first to take the step last week. Days later, Trump announced a trade deal with the European Union, which includes France and several other countries that have recognised Palestinian statehood. Since his return to the White House, Trump has levied 25% tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada trade pact (USMCA). In July, he threatened to raise tariffs on Canada to 35% on August 1 because of unsubstantiated concerns over an 'invasion' of fentanyl from Canada. A White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said it is likely that USMCA-compliant goods would remain exempt but that Trump would make the final decision. Nearly 60% of US imports from Canada were USMCA-compliant in May, according to data from the US Commerce Department, up from 34% in January. Trump has separately imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium, and autos. Trump threatened sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports as Canada joins G7 allies in recognising Palestine. Photo / Getty Images Canadian officials have for months travelled to the US to seek a deal that would lift the levies, but they have recently said it is likely that any agreement with the US will involve some level of tariffs. Carney said Wednesday that negotiations might drag on beyond August 1. Canada's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request early Thursday for comment on Trump's Truth Social post. Carney was elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party in March and led it to a comeback victory in April against a backdrop of rising anxiety over Trump, while running on an explicitly anti-Trump platform. Carney declared the traditional US-Canada relationship 'over' and pledged to fight back with targeted retaliatory tariffs. When Trump repeatedly mused about the US annexing Canada, Carney said his country was 'not for sale'. In recent months, Carney has tried to use flattery and firmness with Trump – to mixed results. Trump has called him 'a nice gentleman'. But in June, Trump abruptly halted trade talks with Canada over the country's digital services tax, calling it 'a direct and blatant attack' on the US and branding Canada as a 'difficult' partner. The Canadian Government later said it would rescind the tax. Days later, Trump threatened more tariffs. Now, geopolitics could further destabilise the talks. Canada is the third major US ally in a week, after France and Britain, to say it is prepared to change its decades-old stance on Palestinian statehood as outrage has grown over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Canada is the third Group of Seven nation to back Palestinian statehood, following France and Britain. Photo / Getty Images Local authorities say more than 60,000 people – including 18,500 children – have been killed in the Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has restricted aid into the enclave, prompting the UN to warn about 'mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation'. Trump acknowledged Monday that there is 'real starvation' in Gaza, breaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Monday that 'there is no starvation in Gaza, no policy of starvation in Gaza'. Yet on Tuesday, when asked about France's and Britain's endorsements of a Palestinian state, Trump said: 'You could make a case that you're rewarding Hamas if you do that. And I don't think they should be rewarded. So I'm not in that camp'. Canada's announcement was met with praise from Palestinian officials and harsh criticism in Israel. The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X: 'This courageous and principled decision marks a significant step towards justice, peace, and the long-overdue realisation of the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination.' The Israeli Foreign Ministry said: 'The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages'.
