The American Clothing And Footwear Association Calls For The Extension Of &Nbsp; ATPDEA

The fourteen signatories urged U.S. congressional leaders to extend Andean as soon as the congressional elections are over.

They said that in order to provide much-needed business certainty, we think the plan should extend at least two years, preferably longer.

14 families

The American clothing and Footwear Association (AAFA), the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA), carpet and

They pointed out that prompt action based on this initiative is very important.

As you may know, the Andean region remains the key to the US textile market, supporting tens of thousands of US jobs.

The functions of these export markets are mainly due to their use of yarn, fabrics, fibers and other textile inputs made in the United States, and we provide tariff free access to their textiles and clothing products.

In the first 7 months of 2010, yarn exports in the United States increased by 74% over the same period in 2009.

American fabrics grew by nearly 20% over the same period.

Because the Andean plan is about to expire, if the current trade partnership is interrupted, the growth of American yarn and fabric exports will be at risk.

These organizations say that the solution to the sustainable partnership in the hemisphere lies in the US / Peru free trade agreement (FTA), which has been implemented and the US / Columbia free trade agreement has not yet been approved.

When fully implemented, these agreements will help establish a permanent two-way tariff free partnership between the United States and the Andean textile and garment producers.

In fact, we strongly urge Congress to take advantage of the first available opportunity to pass the US / Columbia free trade agreement.

But if the United States makes the Andean plan fail, this long-term stability will not be possible. Most of the current partnership is based on the Andean plan.

The AAFA said that if you take action now and help Congress quickly pass the ATPDEA law, you can help maintain good job opportunities in the textile, clothing, wholesale and retail sectors of the United States.