AAFA Praises Congress For Passage Of Free Trade Agreement

The American clothing and Footwear Association (AAFA) praised the US Congress for its long-standing pact with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.

It also includes a series of trade-related votes, namely, the restoration of the GSP system, Andes.

Kevin Burke, President and CEO of the association, said: "the actions taken by Congress today reaffirmed our competitiveness in the global market".

"The benefits of these agreements to about 4000000 American clothing and footwear workers and American consumers are obvious.

By opening two-way permanent trade flows in these three important markets, we get more than 100 million new consumers, while continuing to provide quality and affordable products in the United States.

"I urge President Obama to sign this open market legislation as soon as possible so that we can begin to implement the steps of these trade agreements," Burke said.

"The American clothing and footwear industry will continue to work with the Obama administration and Congress to ensure that the implementation process is seamless."

Since 2002, US cotton exports to Columbia have increased by more than five times, while American yarn and fabric have doubled exports to Columbia.

These exports are worth nearly 300 million dollars.

Korea is now the finished product of the United States.