T-TIP trade debate: Americans bite back
As part of the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) negotiations, European and US-based apparel and textile associations have been putting forward their positions, hoping to reach an agreement that will enable a simplifying of rules and a reduction of tariffs.
For the most part, both sides have been in agreement, but earlier this month, Euratex, the European Association, published an open letter in which it criticised US customs officials and said the Berry Amendment (which states US military clothing and footwear should be 100% made in the US) was unfair.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association has now responded, with a letter from its president Juanita Duggan to US Trade Representative Michael Froman.
She said: “I am writing to urge you to ensure that the Berry Amendment is retained in all future free trade agreements. Such action would support the health of our domestic textile and apparel base. More importantly, such action would ensure the protection of our men and women in uniform.
“As you know, the Berry Amendment is a staple provision in all US FTAs. Its inclusion has been a clear signal to the US industry and our trading partners that the United States views the Berry Amendment as a key component of US contracting law. While we are not aware of any efforts to eliminate the Berry Amendment in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), we are aware of at least one effort to eliminate this important program in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP).
“Earlier this month, EURATEX issued a position paper on the T-TIP. Although we have reached agreement with EURATEX on a number of issues, such as market access and regulatory coherence, in the context of T-TIP, our positions on the Berry Amendment are very different.
“AAFA strongly urges US negotiators to ensure that the weakening or removal of the Berry Amendment is never even placed on the negotiating table.”
She added that hundreds of companies and tens of thousands US jobs are at stake. “Without our domestic manufacturing base, the uniforms, the body armour, the helmets, the boots, and the many other safety critical equipment that our men and women in uniform count on to protect them in combat, and all of the R&D that is implemented to make these items best in class, will be lost.”
