NCTO supports renewal of Trade Promotion Authority

18 Apr '15

2 min read

The American National Council of Textile Organisations (NCTO) has endorsed the introduction of legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority.

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 US government.

NCTP president Augustine Tantillo said, “We are pleased to lend our support to this renewal of Trade Promotion Authority,” and added, “We look forward to working with both the Executive Branch and Congress as we advocate for trade agreements that fully incorporate the interests of US 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 US economy,” said Tantillo.

The textile-specific subparagraph 2(b)(18) of the TPA-2015 reads: “Textile Negotiations: The principal negotiating objectives with respect to trade in textiles and apparel are to obtain opportunities for US exports of textiles and apparel in foreign markets substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities afforded foreign exports in US markets and to achieve fairer and more open conditions of trade in textiles and apparel.”

The TPA bill comes as the two most ambitious trade negotiations in the nation’s history – the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) – are underway to further tear down trade barriers to American goods and services.

The passage of TPA will allow the Obama Administration to conclude the TPP, a potentially groundbreaking agreement for fashion brands and retailers doing business in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as create ambitious trade policy for the future, such as the TTIP, a historic trade negotiation with Europe.

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