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AAFA statement on National Export Initiative Plan

17 Sep '10
2 min read

American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Kevin M. Burke released the following statement after the release of the Report to the President on the National Export Initiative, the Obama Administration plan to double U.S. exports by 2015. “This plan released by President Obama is a solid step forward for U.S. trade policy. AAFA applauds the priorities outlined in the Report, including goals to open new markets, knock down barriers to trade, expand access to credit for small and medium-sized businesses, and enforce the rules of the global trading system.

“At the same time, we cannot focus solely on exports to jumpstart our economy. The United States is home to more than 300 million importers. Just as AAFA outlined in its Blueprint to Double U.S. Exports earlier this summer, imports play a valuable role in creating sustainable economic growth at home.

“If a goal of the National Export Initiative is to grow U.S. manufacturing jobs, we must take a serious look reforming Federal Prison Industries (FPI). This federally-supported program employs more than 18,000 federal inmates and not taxpaying American workers, including more than 6,500 inmates who make uniforms, footwear, parachutes, and other textile items for our servicemen and women. These producers, who employ thousands of U.S. workers, are eager to export products, but their market share here at home continues to shrink while FPI turns immense profits at their expense.

“The U.S. apparel and footwear industry will continue to work with the Obama Administration, Congress, and industry stakeholders to ensure we are seizing every opportunity for growth.”

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints.

American Apparel & Footwear Association

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