No, Trump's tariffs won't "fix" fast fashion.

I do NOT think that these tariffs will "fix" fast fashion. In fact, I think if the tariffs continue, it will actually exacerbate the human exploitation involved in making clothes. To be clear: fast fashion is never bringing clothing production back to the US in a significant way. For a while, companies like Urban Outfitters, and Fashion Nova were manufacturing some clothing in Los Angeles, until they were busted for wage theft and other ethical/legal issues around pay and working conditions. When you want to sell things with an 80% markup (and not charge $100 for a t-shirt), domestic manufacturing is not an option. For clothing manufacturing to return to the US, brands need to get comfortable with a lower profit margin AND customers have to get comfortable with paying higher prices. And to be clear: I know the cost of making clothing in the US because all of my clients manufacture here. So that means the vast majority of clothing will be produced overseas. Right now brands have three options: take a hit in profitability due to the tariffs (very unlikely when shareholders are involved), increase prices for customers (possible, but then again, we are addicted to cheap clothes), or press the factories for even lower costs. That means more human exploitation and even lower quality fabrics and trims. The end of the de minimis loophole means that now customers have to pay duties on SHEIN and Temu orders. This MAY reduce shopping from those brands...but most likely, they wi