Hey folks, it’s Wade—The Shoe Dog. It’s been a while since our last update, but I’m back after spending time in China and Ecuador, and I’ve got some important info for anyone in the shoe industry. Let’s talk about tariffs, taxes, and how they’re changing the game for footwear brands and consumers alike.

Trump’s Sneaker Tax: Breaking It Down

Tariffs are just taxes—don’t let the political spin fool you.

When politicians say the U.S. is collecting billions from foreign governments, what they really mean is: we’re paying more. The brands pay the tariffs, and those costs are passed right down to you and me. That’s the truth.

Tariff Impact by Country

• Vietnam: Major supplier of sports shoes. A 20% import duty is already standard, and tariffs are added on top of that.
• China: Currently around 30%, but fluctuates. It was 15% recently—but it’s unpredictable.
• Europe: Also sees a consistent 20% duty on many types of shoes.

The cost of doing business is rising—and so are retail prices.

Why This Matters to You

Rising prices mean lower sales. The amount of money people have to spend on shoes isn’t going up—so when prices do, sales drop. Simple economics.

And the worst part? These tariffs bring no real benefit to the consumer or the brand. Just more cost and complexity.

Want to Start a Shoe Brand Anyway? Here’s the Move

If you’re serious about entering the shoe business, you can still succeed. But you need to know your numbers, your strategy, and how to price products realistically in today’s world.

That’s why we built Shoemakers Academy—to help future entrepreneurs like you.

📘 Learn the Business of Shoes

Explore our courses and books at Shoemakers Academy.
If you have a great idea, there’s still room for your brand—just be smart about it.

What we cover:

• The real impact of the Trump sneaker tax
• How tariffs are passed on to you
• Why shoe prices keep rising
• Which countries are most affected (Vietnam, China, Europe)
• How to succeed in a high-cost landscape

👉 Learn more at Shoemakers Academy