Fashion
US’ AAFA backs tariff-free trade steps with El Salvador & Guatemala
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has welcomed frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with El Salvador and Guatemala. These frameworks incorporate key features vital for the US textile, apparel, and footwear industry.
AAFA has welcomed new frameworks for reciprocal trade agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala, saying they support US workers, strengthen Central American export markets, reduce consumer costs, and boost integrated supply chains.
The frameworks include removing reciprocal tariffs on CAFTA-DR–qualifying textile and apparel products.
Under these frameworks, the United States will remove reciprocal tariffs on products that qualify for the US/Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR). These actions follow each country’s commitments to take steps to strengthen their trade partnerships with the United States.
“We are grateful to President Trump and his trade negotiating teams for this bold step to support US workers and communities whose lives and livelihoods are directly enabled by US-Central American trade. These actions bolster key US export markets in Central America, reduce costs for American consumers, and reinforce the competitiveness of integrated regional supply chains that rely on US cotton and other textiles,” said Steve Lamar, AAFA president and CEO.
The removal of tariffs on these CAFTA-DR qualifying products, items like textiles and apparel that are already subject to strict rules of origin, ensures that the US/Central American partnership can continue to support workers and communities throughout the United States, AAFA said in a release.
“We urge these agreements to be finalised soon so that these gains can quickly take effect and encourage the United States to incorporate similar provisions in forthcoming agreements with our other CAFTA-DR partners,” added Beth Hughes, AAFA vice president of trade and customs policy.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Economic momentum remained strong at the end of 2025, with real GDP expanding 8.4 per cent year on year (YoY) in the fourth quarter, the fastest pace in several years. Growth was driven by robust export-oriented industrial production. Credit growth surged to 19.4 per cent YoY by December, well above deposit growth of 14 per cent, SBV said in a release.
Vietnam’s interbank rates, which rose sharply in late 2025, are expected to ease in 2026 as credit growth and economic momentum cool.
GDP expanded 8.4 per cent year on year in Q4, while credit growth of 19.4 per cent outpaced deposits.
Despite a strong 2025, US tariff risks remain.
The SBV is likely to keep rates steady while targeting slower credit growth.
While Vietnam enters 2026 on a positive footing after achieving an estimated 8 per cent growth in 2025, external risks remain significant for the export-driven economy. Goods exports to the US, which account for around 30 per cent of the total, face the lagged impact of 20 per cent reciprocal tariffs, uncertainty over transshipment duties, and the risk of additional sectoral measures, including possible semiconductor levies.
Monetary authorities have signalled a cautious policy stance for 2026 despite an official GDP growth target of 10 per cent, which analysts view as difficult to achieve. Growth is expected to moderate to around 6.5 per cent, while the SBV has set a lower credit growth target of 15 per cent to limit overheating and resource misallocation risks.
The refinancing rate is expected to remain unchanged at 4.50 per cent, though the possibility of an unexpected rate hike cannot be ruled out if liquidity strains persist.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Published
January 16, 2026
Moncler and Rick Owens have unveiled their first-ever summer collection, expanding their ongoing collaboration with a warm-weather offering inspired by Berlin’s brutalist architecture and Moncler’s outdoor expertise.
Designed as a lightweight, warm-weather uniform, the collection reflects Rick Owens’ vision of where nature and city meet, described by Owens’ as “brucolic.”
Notably, as part of the Spring/Summer 2026 lineup, kilt-style shorts and slinky, asymmetric jersey skirts are paired with tonal hiking socks and Trailgrip Megalace sneakers, reinforcing the collection’s emphasis on movement and adaptability. The color palette is characterized by black, dark dust, vintage olive, and a bold carnelian red, which appears for the first time in this season’s collaboration.
Other collection highlights include quilting and graphic embroidery, lightweight outerwear in leather and nylon, as well as summery windbreakers and relaxed jerseys that play with proportion and silhouette. Consistent with the designer’s ethos, the collection embraces gender-neutral styling across relaxed bombers and nipped-in, cropped styles, with exaggerated shoulders. Completing the collection are accessories including sunglasses, quilted bucket hats, caps, and waistbags.
The collection launches with a series of intimate images shot by Juergen Teller, featuring Rick Owens and his wife and longtime muse Michèle Lamy, alongside Teller himself and his wife and creative partner Dovile Drizyte. The candid photographs capture moments of affection, reinforcing themes of love, passion, and human connection.
The collection is now available online, as well as in selected Moncler boutiques, Rick Owens flagship stores, and select retailers worldwide.
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