According to a statement, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is “extremely disappointed” at the collapse of the Doha Round of World Trade Organisation talks in Geneva, but expressed the hope that talks can eventually be restarted and a meaningful agreement can still be reached.

AAFA President & CEO Kevin Burke said that sticking to its objectives which are “absolutely critical to complete a comprehensive and ambitious agreement that would create real market openings and provide meaningful opportunities for US apparel, footwear and textile companies. We will do everything possible to work toward this end.”

Mr Burke pointed out that a lack of flexibility by several of the United States’ key negotiating partners contributed to the current stalemate which led to the suspension of the talks.