Assia Benmedjdoub returns with her regular column after three weeks of leave.
On Tuesday, it was announced the United States House of Representatives would launch a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.
In the same breath, the circumstances behind the collapse of footwear retailer Ziera became clearer.
While both cases have nothing to do with the other, both are concerned with foreign interests.
The first, Ukraine and the second, China.
For the purpose of being an industry title - and not discussing politics on TGIF - let’s turn our attention to China.
The country, and its escalating trade war with Trump, is having serious implications on footwear vendors.
Last month, more than 200 US footwear companies urged the US President to cancel higher tariffs on Chinese imports.
While tariffs on some imports will be delayed until December 15, the majority of footwear lines faced an added 15% tariff on September 1.
That is on top of tariffs that already average 11% and reach 67% on some footwear items.
In the instance of Ziera, administrators for the local footwear retailer cited rising tariffs as a significant issue in its US export business.
They claimed its tariffs rose to 25%, impacting the profitability of sales to the country.
According to the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, an eye watering 70% of shoes sold in the US come from China.
Footwear imported from China is already enduring upwards of 67% duties as a result of the trade war.
It is little wonder companies such as Adidas, Converse and Nike wrote to Trump on August 28, urging for a respite on tariffs.
They joined retailers like Foot Locker and JC Penney in signing the letter, which was also sent to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other key administration officials involved in China trade talks.
"There is no doubt that tariffs act as hidden taxes paid by American individuals and families," the letter read.
The implications of soaring duties are two fold: one, the cost will be passed on to the consumer in one of the most volatile pricing climates to date.
Two, businesses will be hit with lower production capabilities and tighter margins.
Put simply, if allowed to inflate and grow, it will be more than just Ziera calling in administrators.