On December 10, 2018, USFIA President Julia Hughes testified at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s hearing on the negotiating objectives for the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. She spoke in support of a trade agreement with Japan, an important trading partner for retail as the third-largest consumer market in the world, as well as an important sourcing destination for high-quality textiles increasingly demanded by consumers. She also called for the elimination of the very high import duties on fashion products; a flexible, simplified, 21st-century Rule of Origin for apparel; harmonized and streamlined customs procedures; and, harmonized rules and regulations governing issues like product safety and labeling. The testimony is available on our website.