The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has welcomed the introduction of bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.

“Trade Promotion Authority is essential for the conclusion of high-standard, 21st-century trade agreements,” explained Julia K. Hughes, President of USFIA.

“The fashion industry applauds the introduction of TPA and urges Congress to pass the legislation as soon as possible so we can see the swift conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other key trade negotiations.”

Groundbreaking agreement

The passage of TPA will allow the Obama Administration to conclude the TPP, a potentially groundbreaking agreement for fashion brands and retailers doing business in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as create ambitious trade policy for the future, such as the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP), a historic trade negotiation with Europe.

TPP and TTIP are especially important for the US fashion industry, which includes textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally, the association reports.

“Our members not only import products from around the world, but also sell American fashion design around the world, too,” commented Hughes. “By opening new markets in the Asia-Pacific and Europe, these brands and retailers will have new opportunities to create high-quality jobs at home and expand abroad.”

Focus on trade

“We’re glad Congress and the Obama Administration are focusing on trade,” concluded Hughes. “The passage of TPA, the conclusion of TPP and TTIP, and the renewal of important initiatives like the African Growth & Opportunity Act, the Nicaragua Tariff Preference Level, and the Generalized System of Preferences will help American businesses and consumers as well as boost jobs and the economy in the United States.”

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is a member of the Trade Benefits America Coalition, a broad-based group of more than 250 leading US business and agricultural associations and companies.

United States Fashion Industry Association

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) represents the fashion industry: textile and apparel brands, retailers, importers, and wholesalers based in the United States and doing business globally.

Founded in 1989 as the United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel with the goal of eliminating the global apparel quota system, USFIA now works to eliminate the tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede the industry’s ability to trade freely and create economic opportunities in the United States and abroad.

www.usfashionindustry.com