30 Representatives Urge USTR to Leverage Textiles for Other TPP Gains
On October 25, 2011, a bipartisan group of 30 Representatives1 sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Kirk urging U.S. negotiators for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to adopt a fresh approach to U.S. trade policy for textiles and apparel in the TPP that includes flexible rules of origin and meaningful market access.
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The Representatives urge the USTR to seek a high-standard agreement that creates new trade and investment opportunities -- including in textiles and apparel -- that is flexible, simple to use, easily enforceable, and consistent with the business realities, production, and global value chains of the 21st century.
Letter Calls Textile and Apparel Market Access One of the Most Valuable Concessions Available to U.S.
According to the letter, U.S. market access for textile and apparel goods from TPP countries are one of the most valuable concessions the U.S. has to use as leverage to obtain the many obligations the U.S. expects the other TPP countries to adopt in these negotiations.
The letter notes that given the importance the textile and apparel sector to several TPP countries, U.S. adherence to outdated and inflexible rules on textile and apparel trade will severely limit trade and investment in this sector and will undermine the ability of the U.S. to negotiate a TPP agreement that will provide the U.S. the best possible economic benefits for U.S. companies, workers, and consumers.
115 Democrats and 15 Republicans, 11 of which are members of the House Ways and Means Committee.