Professor and graduate director shares global research on tariffs, sourcing, and sustainability

Sheng Lu, professor and graduate director of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware, presented his latest research on U.S. apparel sourcing, trade policy and global supply chains at several major industry events across the country and abroad in recent months

On Nov. 5, Lu spoke at the 2025 Apparel Importers Trade and Transportation Conference in New York City, co-hosted by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) and the Fashion Institute of Technology. His presentation, “Tariffs and U.S. Apparel Sourcing Trends: Company & Product-level Insights,” examined how tariff hikes and policy uncertainty are reshaping retail pricing and product assortments in the U.S. market.

Earlier in the fall, on Oct. 28, Lu presented virtually to the Fair Labor Association’s Fall 2025 Board Convening and Stakeholder Conference in Berlin, Germany. His talk, “Tariffs and Implications for Apparel Sourcing,” explored the financial and operational challenges fashion companies face amid evolving trade policies.

Additionally, Lu joined a panel on textile and apparel nearshoring at the 16th Sourcing Journal Fall Summit on Sept. 25 in New York City, engaging with more than 200 executives from leading U.S. fashion firms.

During the summer, Lu and graduate student Katie Yasik presented research on sustainable sourcing strategies at a U.S. International Trade Commission seminar in Washington, D.C., followed by three USFIA events, including the Washington Trade Symposium and Board of Directors meeting. He also shared findings from his study, “The Impact of Tariffs on U.S. Textile and Apparel Trade,” at the Southern Textile Association’s annual meeting in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, one of the nation’s oldest textile industry gatherings.