April 2015 – Textiles in the News

TPA Statement

NCTO applauds both the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee for reporting out a clean TPA bill – The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. In addition, NCTO is appreciative that accompanying legislation did not include provisions damaging to domestic job growth, manufacturing, and the U.S. textile industry as a whole. NCTO encourages both the House and Senate to swiftly pass these bills without additional amendments that would adversely impact U.S. textile manufactures.

The U.S. textile and apparel industry is a strong and growing industry employing 499,500 American workers in 2014. It is critical that U.S. trade agreements are constructed so that the U.S. can compete on a level playing field and in doing so boost American exports, create jobs, and strengthen the U.S. economy. TPA legislation will ensure that the U.S. meets these goals and creates high-standard 21st century trade agreements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2015

Contact: Eliza Levy
202-822-8028

NCTO ENDORSES THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL TRADE PRIORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) endorses the introduction of legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority as introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) would establish congressional negotiating objectives and consultation mechanisms involving international trade agreements currently being negotiated by the U.S. government.
“We are pleased to lend our support to this renewal of Trade Promotion Authority,” stated NCTO President Augustine Tantillo. “We look forward to working with both the Executive Branch and Congress as we advocate for trade agreements that fully incorporate the interests of U.S. textile manufacturers. It is critical that these trade agreements help to level the international playing field and boost American exports, create manufacturing jobs, and strengthen the U.S. economy.”
Among the various negotiating objectives included in the bill is textile-specific language addressing the need for fair market access in trade negotiations.
Subparagraph 2(b)(18) of the bill reads:
Textile Negotiations: The principal negotiating objectives with respect to trade in textiles and apparel are to obtain opportunities for U.S. exports of textiles and apparel in foreign markets substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities afforded foreign exports in U.S. markets and to achieve fairer and more open conditions of trade in textiles and apparel.