A few weeks ago, I wrote an open letter to President Trump urging him to reverse the extreme tariffs and embargoes imposed on China. These policies have had a significant impact on the apparel, footwear, and toy industries—industries that have long operated offshore due to cost efficiencies and global supply chains. The response was overwhelming: over 800 reactions, 70,000 views, and 50+ reposts on LinkedIn, reflecting broad concern across the industry.

However, the post also sparked a thoughtful and passionate response from a former colleague who sees a different path forward—one that includes a revival of U.S.-based manufacturing.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot, we sit down for a grounded, no-holds-barred conversation about tariffs, trade, and the real-world ripple effects on American business.

Joining me are:

• Adrian Miramontes, COO/CFO of Boston Proper, a women’s apparel brand that manufactures 80%+ of its product in China and now faces existential risk due to tariff-related cost increases.

  
  

• Jan Rogers Kniffen, CEO of J Rogers Kniffen Worldwide and longtime retail executive and CNBC contributor, who shares sobering insights on the long-term hollowing out of U.S. manufacturing.

  
  

• Bear Clark, Chief Innovation Instigator at Ear Micro and a pioneer in the hearables industry, who once ran a thriving U.S.-based manufacturing company—until Chinese subsidies and trade shifts changed everything.

  
  

Together, we explore both sides of the issue—from the hopeful possibilities of automation and fair trade to the painful reality many small-to-mid-sized retailers now face. Whether you're a policymaker, entrepreneur, or consumer, this episode will challenge how you think about global sourcing, pricing, and the future of U.S. industry.

You’ll Learn:

• Why my call to reverse tariffs gained massive traction—and pushback

• How Chinese subsidies disrupted entire U.S. industries, one bid at a time

• Why companies like Boston Proper depend on Chinese manufacturing

• What domestic production could look like in the age of automation and AI

• Why rushed trade policy reform could do more harm than good without a plan

• The moral and economic case for reciprocal trade and environmental accountability

Topics Covered:

• The decline of American manufacturing over six decades

• Fast fashion, fair labor, and environmental implications

• Tariffs as economic tools: punishment, leverage, or necessity?

• What a balanced and effective trade strategy might actually look like
  

  
  

Final Thoughts:
We may not all agree on the solution, but this conversation marks a critical starting point: how can the U.S. support fair, strategic trade that benefits workers, business owners, and consumers alike—without trading stability for short-term politics?

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