The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America asked US President Donald Trump in a letter to exempt footwear brands from the reciprocal tariffs.

The letter, signed by brands including Nike (NKE), Skechers U.S.A. (SKX), Under Armour (UA, UAA), VF Corp. (VFC), Capri Holdings (CPRI), Deckers Outdoor (DECK), Wolverine World Wide (WWW), Caleres (CAL), Columbia Sportswear (COLM), Crocs (CROX), Genesco (GCO), Rocky Brands (RCKY), Steven Madden (SHOO), Weyco Group (WEYS), Adidas, Puma, and others on Tuesday, said that the US footwear sector faces an "existential threat" from cost hikes, saying a lot of jobs are "at stake."

"Many companies making affordable footwear for hardworking lower and middle-income families cannot absorb tariff rates this high, nor can they pass along these costs," the FDRA letter added. "Without immediate relief from the reciprocal tariffs, they will simply shutter."

The trade group also said that the tariffs pose an "emergency" that needs "immediate action and attention" as footwear workers and consumers in the country will "suffer."