May 1, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact: Samantha Sault, Director of Communications, 202-419-0474 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
USA-ITA Applauds Bipartisan Senate Letter Calling for Flexible Rule of Origin for Apparel in TPP Agreement
WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, a bipartisan group of fifteen U.S. Senators, led by U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to include a flexible Rule of Origin for apparel in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
The United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) applauds the letter and thanks the fifteen U.S. Senators for their support of a 21st-century trade agreement.
Senator Warner said in a statement, “Our bipartisan approach urges the Administration to continue in a productive dialogue with participating TPP countries about a modern approach for apparel trade that reflects today’s commercial realities. This more flexible approach will allow immediate market access that can lead to increased jobs, trade and investment here in the United States.”
“This is an important message of support for American consumers, as well as the American apparel brands and retailers responsible for thousands of American jobs,” said Julia K. Hughes, President of USA-ITA. “This Senate letter represents a true paradigm shift in the politics of trade in Washington. Key decision makers in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are speaking out about the importance of the entire supply chain to support American jobs created by brands and retailers.”
The next round of TPP negotiations will take place in Dallas, Texas, from May 8-18, 2012. As the current U.S. proposal advocates a yarn-forward position, USA-ITA hopes that the Administration will consider the letter and instead work to negotiate a TPP with broad and immediate market access for apparel products and rules of origin that align with business realities.
For more information on USA-ITA’s position on TPP, please visit USA-ITA on TPP.
USA-ITA is a proud member of the TPP Apparel Coalition.
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The United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) was established in January 1989 by nine companies with a vision to create a unified voice for textile and apparel importers across the country. USA-ITA provides education, information, and advocacy to executives active in textile and apparel sourcing, importing, compliance, and logistics. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA-ITA represents the needs of American retailers, brands and importers, as well as related service providers, with the objective to remove barriers to business and to trade.
