By Kristi Ellis
Julia Hughes, president at the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, said: “In our recent benchmarking survey of 30 companies, respondents said they currently source from five TPP members, and 72 percent expect to source more textiles and apparel from TPP partners after the agreement is implemented.”
“Obviously, companies doing business in the TPP countries could benefit immensely from reduced or eliminated barriers to trade and greater market access,” Hughes said. “TPA is critical to developing 21st-century trade policy for brands and retailers to innovate and create jobs for years to come.”
David Spooner, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP [and USFIA Washington Counsel], who was the chief textile and apparel negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative from 2002 to 2006., said TPA is “key to getting TPP done.”