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The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is pushing US President Donald Trump for the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) agreement – which expired recently – to sign into law on an urgent basis.
Steve Lamar, President and CEO, AAFA greeted the passage of legislation by the Senate on 23 September that would extend the CBTPA to 30 September 2030.
The package gives textile and apparel trade preferences to Caribbean island countries. It supports trade with Haiti, with 30% of Haitian exports coming to the US under the trade pact. Also, the program supports US textile jobs due to the obligation that apparel imports to the US utilize US-made yarns and fabrics.
At the end of the trade pact, Lamar stated, “With the CBTPA planned to expire in just a few hours, the apparel and footwear industry is grateful for the speed in which the Senate moved this legislation after it was accepted by the House last week.”
“At the same time, supporting the US textile jobs and the growing industry in Haiti,” he added.
“We now urge President Trump to sign the bill into law quickly to ensure this ten-year renewal of the CBTPA that will foster predictable and stable trade with Haiti and support US jobs,” Lamar concluded.
AAFA is a robust supporter CBTPA and has been calling for the restitution of the program for some time. In April, AAFA sent a letter to Congress highlighting its importance.
