U.S. President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping both got the trade deal they wanted, and it’s one that could have footwear firms rethinking their sourcing and supply chain model.

The new deal puts China firmly back at the center of the production conversation, with the new tariff rate for footwear down to a range of 20 percent to 27 percent, depending on shoe classification and not including existing duties. That’s lower than the temporary reciprocal rate of 30 percent, and even lower than the original threat of a 55 percent duty rate .

“Anytime you could lower a tariff on goods that you’re importing in is a positive. So we’ll take it in this environment,” Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), said. “That creat

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