Public are wrong in their attitudes to trade, say US apparel groups
12/04/2013
Among these are the Outdoor Industries Association, the American Apparel & Footwear Association and the Footwear Distributor and Retailers of America group.
Associations and think tanks participating in the inaugural event last year published commentaries, issued studies and took part in grassroots and social media activities.
“While the US apparel and footwear industry is well-versed in the many benefits - and challenges - of global commerce, the general public does not readily accept the positive impact imports and exports have on our economy,” said AAFA CEO Kevin Burke. “For far too long, trade has been viewed as having a negative impact on our economy - that it results in job losses.
“Our industry serves as the shining example of one that is able to thrive because of imports. Although nearly all of our product is sourced globally, our industry sustains four million US jobs and domestically-made product usually contains at least one imported component.”
World Trade Organisation director-general Pascal Lamy said: "To shoot at imports is to shoot yourself in the foot because you are undermining your exports as well. This is why we need a new narrative which recognises that trade is about imports as well as exports."
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