AAFA Puts Weight Behind Berry Amendment in US FTA Talks

The Obama administration should ensure the Berry Amendment, a law that requires the Defense Department to give preferential procurement treatment to U.S. companies, is kept in place through all future free trade negotiations and pacts, said American Apparel and Footwear Association President Juanita Duggan in an Oct. 24 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman (here). “As you know, the Berry Amendment is a staple provision in all U.S. [free trade agreements]," said Duggan. "Its inclusion has been a clear signal to the U.S. industry and our trading partners that the United States views the Berry Amendment as a key component of U.S. contracting law.”

A European Union textile and apparel association, Euratex, recently urged the removal of the Berry Amendment in Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks (see 14100901), saying that amendment and other ‘Buy America’ policies are discriminatory (here). Duggan chided the Euratex statement, which was issued after the most recent TTIP negotiating round. “Congress has repeatedly reaffirmed the importance of the Berry Amendment to ensure that during a time of war our military would have immediate access to the critical items that are necessary to protect our soldiers, access that we can’t afford to have jeopardized by international supply chains that are compromised in times of war,” said Duggan. “The need for a short supply chain and a local and direct connection between the military and their suppliers is as critical now as it has ever been.” Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast also railed against U.S. 'Buy America' legislation in recent days (see 1410240008). Those bills and other policies already in place violate global trade rules, said Fast.