---
title: "A Year in Review: Trade Facilitation and Market Development"
description: Charlie Chaplin’s famous “lucky leather boots” were an iconic part of his Tramp costume. The baggy trousers, tight jacket, bowler hat and cane defined his character. The boots became legendary not only for their comic use but represented hardship, resilience and humor through adversity.
image: https://usleather.org/hubfs/istockphoto-1051571730-612x612.jpg
---

![](https://usleather.org/hs-fs/hubfs/istockphoto-1051571730-612x612.jpg?width=1240&height=606&name=istockphoto-1051571730-612x612.jpg)

# A Year in Review: Trade Facilitation and Market Development

##### January 5, 2026 LHCA

###### Outbound Trade Initiatives

**APLF Hong Kong — March 2025**

The LHCA showcased a dozen member companies at our US Pavilion during Asia Pacific Leather Fair, creating a powerful platform for American leather on the international stage. Our members identified and established valuable business connections, identified emerging market opportunities and demonstrated the quality and innovation of US leather products to global buyers. LHCA promoted U.S. industry initiatives and priorities to current and future customers. 

**Southeast Asia Trade Mission – March 2025**

Following APLF, our delegation conducted targeted visits to Thailand and Vietnam, touring facilities and participating in business matchmaking sessions. The mission yielded significant market insights and partnership opportunities that will benefit our members for years to come. Read more [here](https://usleather.org/news-events/asia/oceania-training-missions-and-us-hide-sales).

###### **Reverse Trade Missions**

**Thai Tannery Delegation — October 2025**

We welcomed tannery representatives from Thailand to tour raw hide processing and packing facilities  and attend business match meeting with over a dozen LHCA member companies in Chicago, resulting in new business partnerships and long-term trade relationships that strengthen ties between our industries. Participating tanneries placed orders following the trip with more to come in 2026, reflecting strong ongoing confidence in U.S. raw hide supply. 

**Turkish Tannery Delegation — October 2025**

Turkish industry leaders visited US facilities to explore technology exchange opportunities and establish direct supplier-buyer connections, opening new channels for American leather products.

 

- [![Public Comment Opportunity Open on EU Deforestation Regulation](https://usleather.org/hubfs/ISP%20IMAGE%20BANNERS%20FEB%20%20(46).png)
  
  ##### Public Comment Opportunity Open on EU Deforestation Regulation
  
   A public comment opportunity is now open on the European Commission's proposal to amend and simplify the EU Deforestation ... 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ](https://usleather.org/news-events/public-comment-opportunity-open-on-eu-deforestation-regulation)
- [![Drought and Economic Headwinds Stall U.S. Cattle Herd Recovery](https://usleather.org/hubfs/ISP%20IMAGE%20BANNERS%20FEB%20%20(45).png)
  
  ##### Drought and Economic Headwinds Stall U.S. Cattle Herd Recovery
  
   Despite record-high calf prices and robust demand that would ordinarily incentivize expansion, the size of the US cattle herd is ... 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ](https://usleather.org/news-events/drought-and-economic-headwinds-stall-u.s.-cattle-herd-recovery)
- [![Spring Meeting](https://usleather.org/hubfs/ISP%20IMAGE%20BANNERS%20FEB%20%20(44).png)
  
  ##### Spring Meeting
  
   LHCA has hosted its first spring Washington, D.C. meeting since 2022, bringing together industry leaders for a packed agenda of ... 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ](https://usleather.org/news-events/spring-meeting)

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