Latest news with #BetterOutfittingOurTroops
Fibre2Fashion
15 hours ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
American Combat Boot Alliance welcomes introduction of BOOTS Act
The American Combat Boot Alliance (ACBA) recently welcomed introduction of the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act to ensure that all combat boots supplied to the US military are indigenously made in accordance with the Berry Amendment. The Berry Amendment requires the department of defense to purchase certain items, primarily clothing and food, from domestic sources. 'Over the past several years, there has been a concerning influx of poorly made, non-Berry Amendment-compliant, foreign-sourced footwear procured by United States Army and United States Air Force service members,' ACBA, a coalition comprising US manufacturers committed to the readiness and combat effectiveness of warfighters, said in a letter to Nikki Budzinski from the House of Representatives and Tammy Duckworth from the Senate. The American Combat Boot Alliance has welcomed introduction of the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTs) Act to ensure that all combat boots supplied to the US military are indigenously made in accordance with the Berry Amendment. Over the past several years, there has been a concerning influx of poorly made, non-Berry Amendment-compliant, foreign-sourced footwear procured by US military staff. 'The growing reliance on foreign products has led to the further erosion within the domestic footwear industrial base that supports the warfighter, resulting in over 750,000 pair of non-US manufactured combat boots being sold to Army and Air Force personnel each year,' the letter noted. These inferior products are subject to import tariffs, leaving vendors no choice but to pass the additional costs onto service members. These increased costs may exceed retail prices of domestically manufactured combat footwear, the ACBA letter said. Military service members receive annual Congressionally-appropriated uniform allowances for non-issued uniform items. The BOOTs Act will ensure that they can effectively use their taxpayer-funded uniform allowance to purchase American-made combat footwear, the letter said. This legislation also helps secure the challenged combat footwear supply chain industrial base, diversify the selection of domestic combat boots and ensure that US companies can meet surge demands in times of crisis, it added. ACBA member entities include the American Apparel & Footwear Association, the National Council of Textile Organisations, the US Footwear Manufacturers Association and several other private manufacturers. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fibre2Fashion
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
USFMA urges tariff reinvestment to boost US footwear industry
The United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) has called on President Donald Trump to reinvest revenue generated from new tariffs on imported goods into reviving the domestic footwear supply chain. In a letter sent to the President and key government officials, USFMA executive director Bill McCann highlighted the opportunity to modernise US footwear production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers — especially for critical items like military boots and PPE. McCann stated that American footwear manufacturing is primed for a revival, driven by renewed investment from legacy brands and innovative startups. Technologies like AI-driven automation and additive manufacturing are enhancing competitiveness. 'Long-established footwear manufacturers are reinvesting in domestic operations, and a new generation of entrepreneurs and startups are entering the industry with energy and innovation. Advances in materials and manufacturing processes, such as AI-powered automation and additive manufacturing, are helping to level the global playing field for American footwear manufacturers,' USFMA executive director Bill McCann wrote in a letter to President Trump. Currently, US-based footwear producers make just 25 million pairs annually — less than 1 per cent of the 2.7 billion pairs sold nationwide. USFMA proposes a $5 billion one-time federal investment to increase domestic output to at least 5 per cent (135 million pairs), which it claims would create tens of thousands of jobs and bolster national preparedness. Even before the President's tariffs, levies on footwear imports were projected to generate $3.3 billion in 2025. 'Achieving the goal of rebuilding American footwear manufacturing requires significant capital investment, particularly in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. USFMA proposes that a portion of tariff revenue generated from imported footwear be strategically reinvested to match private sector capital to modernise and expand domestic footwear production,' McCann continued. The association also underscored the role US manufacturers played during the COVID-19 pandemic by pivoting to produce millions of PPE items. It cited that similar supply vulnerabilities persist in military logistics. As much as 50 per cent of active-duty troops reportedly wear foreign-made 'optional' boots, primarily from China and Vietnam. USFMA backs the bipartisan Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which would require all military boots to be US-made. 'For the strength of our economy, for our ability to make things in America, and for the safety of our warfighters, we respectfully urge your Administration to support a manufacturing friendly tax code, reinvest tariff revenue from imported footwear to spur the production of domestic footwear, and ensure US armed forces are equipped with best-in-class modern American-made footwear,' the letter concluded. USFMA has urged President Trump to reinvest tariff revenue from imported footwear into reviving US manufacturing. Citing low domestic output and military reliance on foreign-made boots, it proposed a $5 billion investment to boost local production to 5 per cent. The group also supports the BOOTS Act to mandate US-made military footwear and enhance national preparedness. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
