Footwear makers ask US to reconsider tariffs

US footwear giant Nike and upscale shoemaker Allen Edmonds have joined the chorus of business groups calling for the White House to hit the brakes on its move to raise duties on Chinese footwear imports and other products.

A week after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the remaining $300 billion of goods imported from China, more than 100 US footwear companies, brands and retailers signed an open letter to the president saying the policy "would be catastrophic" for consumers, businesses and the US economy.

"Your proposal to add tariffs on all imports from China is asking the US consumer to foot the bill," said the letter, dated on Monday and signed by the companies. It was posted on the website of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.