You Love Sambas. Trump's Tariff Doesn't!
Your favourite pair of three-striped shoes might see an increase in price, thanks to Trump’s tariffs. But could the love for Sambas faze out by this?
Slim, gum-soled, and cool, Samba has been the sneaker pair for the longest time one can remember. You could say it’s still having its moment as you spot it padding through shopping malls, busy metro rides, and casually strolling in your office space.
It is everywhere, and somehow still doesn’t feel overexposed!
Originally shaped in the icy training grounds of postwar Germany in 1949 as a training shoe for soccer players to grip frozen pitches, Sambas, one of Adidas’s oldest still-in production sneaker that was adopted by British terrace culture, has become the most democratic shoe in the world.
The three-striped silhouette first rose to its international popularity through Britpop of the ‘90s; flaunted by Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Gallagher brothers before Grace Wales Bonner collaborated with Adidas between 2020-2023 to elevate the classic to hit the contemporary fever.
She added stitching, luxe materials and a whiff of Afro-Caribbean influence that etched it as a forever style piece. I mean, think of a sportsman, an artist, a fashion model, or that quiet guy with a great taste in your office – all at some point have had a shiny, non-wrinkly pair of Adidas Samba in their shoe collection.
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And why not? High fashion loves it. And Streetwear is obsessed with it. Now, Sambas are part of the geopolitical pricing debate.
A wearable memory, the shoes that can be paired with wide-leg trousers and tucked-in tee, with a streetwear smart look, and even tailored casual fit, is among the popular Adidas trainers to likely experience a hike in price as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The German group has issued a warning of expected retail price increasing despite their profits in the first quarter as US President Trump’s proposed tariff on Chinese imports could push the price of Samba and Campus models from a relatively accessible to little pricey, sparking sneaker inflation in real time!
“Companies that worked hard over the years to reduce reliance on China by leaning into countries like Vietnam just learned there really isn’t a place to hide,” BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel said.
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While the tariffs mainly affect the retailers in the US, there is a chance, companies like Adidas, Nike, Puma may look for offset losses elsewhere.
What does that mean for an Indian sneakerhead? Shifts in supply chain, adjusting prices for international markets including India and worse case scenario, a scarcity leading to hike in prices for international retailers.
While Adidas has not announced any likely hike in prices outside the United States, its worth keeping an eye out on your favourite sneakers in the midst of geopolitics!
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For what’s worth, maybe the beat-up pair you’ve been rocking since 2022 could suddenly become a relic of the pre-tariff era or much worse put an end to its long-standing reign in the US market. But the truth is Sambas have outlived trends, recessions, and even brief tyranny of dad sneakers.
So, as the retailers gear up to increase the prices that could sting the sneaker heads a little, it’s highly unlikely, even with a geopolitical price tag, for Adidas Sambas to fade away.