Throughout his presidential campaign, one of the biggest platforms that Donald Trump ran on was, according to his website, his opposition to American companies that manufacture their products overseas. However, as his opponents quickly pointed out during election season, both Donald and Ivanka’s clothing lines are made in countries like Bangladesh and China.

Since Donald’s own eponymous apparel line essentially folded, the focus is now on his daughter Ivanka’s manufacturing practices. The New York Times reports today that several products from Ivanka’s line are produced overseas. In fact, in 2016 alone, there were at least 193 shipments of imported goods for Ivanka Trump brands, according to a review the paper commissioned from trade database ImportGenius. A review of tags and financial documents from G-III Apparel Group revealed that Ivanka’s dresses and blouses are made in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

For many apparel brands — likely including the ones you’re wearing right now (check your tags!) — manufacturing products overseas means being able to sell products at a more accessible price point, while also widening their profit margin. The only odd thing is, that’s precisely what Donald Trump campaigned against. Trump’s vision, as outlined on his website, is to “negotiate fair trade deals that create American jobs, increase American wages, and reduce America’s trade deficit.” He calls out China specifically, pledging to “instruct the Treasury Secretary to label China a currency manipulator” and to “instruct the U.S. Trade Representative to bring trade cases against China, both in this country and at the WTO [World Trade Organization].”

But, as the Times pointed out today, Ivanka Trump’s brand is guilty of exactly the things her father campaigned against. In fact, Donald Trump’s own products — including suits and ties — were produced in China during his campaign, even while he adamantly promised voters he’d preserve American jobs. Racked uncovered that Donald Trump ties were produced in Shengzhou, China under sweatshop-like conditions. In addition to staggeringly low wages and cramped living spaces, Trump’s factory workers were subjected to regular searches of their belongings and a lack of basic work benefits like sick leave and holiday vacations.

That same hypocrisy will most likely surface in Trump’s dealings with Ivanka. Though he claimed he’d protect American jobs and have foreign workers removed from the country, his actions prove otherwise. Ivanka has yet to comment on whether she’ll move her manufacturing back to the United States, but even still, her business raises ethical concerns beyond just manufacturing.

As she’s set to assume a “First Lady” role, Ivanka’s responsibilities will reach far beyond her consumers, and onto the world at large. Her company stands to benefit directly from her newfound, Presidential image and the inevitable publicity she’ll get while her father holds office. Ms. Trump came under fire last month when her Fine Jewelry brand marketed a $10,800 bracelet she wore during a 60 Minutes interview relating to the campaign. More recently, Ivanka was criticized for meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, at the same time her brand was negotiating a licensing deal with a company that has significant ties to the Japanese government.

[“source-ndtv”]

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