American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) President and CEO Kevin M. Burke applauded President Barack Obama for signing the implementing legislation for the recently passed free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. The three agreements were passed by Congress on October 12, 2011, along with other trade measures, including renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences, the Andean Trade Preferences Act, and Trade Adjustment Assistance.
Action by President Obama represents the largest market opening for U.S. goods and services since the North America Free Trade Agreement entered into force more than fifteen years ago. Since then, international trade has proven to be source of job creation right here in the United States.
In fact, the permanent two-way trade flows that will be created once these agreements are fully implemented will directly support more than four million U.S. apparel and footwear industry jobs and opportunities to create more.
The U.S. apparel and footwear industry will work closely with administration officials, congressional stakeholders, and our trading partners to ensure the implementation process for these three important agreements is as seamless as possible.
To further drive our competitiveness in the global market, we must continue to reduce barriers to trade. Achieving a successful conclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and identifying more opportunities to open global markets will help re-position the United States as a global economic leader.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints.
Action by President Obama represents the largest market opening for U.S. goods and services since the North America Free Trade Agreement entered into force more than fifteen years ago. Since then, international trade has proven to be source of job creation right here in the United States.
In fact, the permanent two-way trade flows that will be created once these agreements are fully implemented will directly support more than four million U.S. apparel and footwear industry jobs and opportunities to create more.
The U.S. apparel and footwear industry will work closely with administration officials, congressional stakeholders, and our trading partners to ensure the implementation process for these three important agreements is as seamless as possible.
To further drive our competitiveness in the global market, we must continue to reduce barriers to trade. Achieving a successful conclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and identifying more opportunities to open global markets will help re-position the United States as a global economic leader.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints.
