AAFA Urges President to Sign CBTPA Extension Following Approval by Senate
September 30, 2020 | WASHINGTON, D.C.
American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Steve Lamar welcomed the passage of legislation by the Senate that would extend the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) today. The program provides textile and apparel trade preferences to Caribbean countries, however it is currently scheduled to expire today. The bill would extend the program to September 30, 2030.
“With the CBTPA scheduled to expire in just a few hours, the apparel and footwear industry is thankful for the speed in which the Senate moved this legislation after it was approved by the House last week. In particular, the efforts of Senators McConnell, Schumer, Grassley, Wyden, and Cardin, as well as former Senator Isakson, were essential in moving this bill which supports U.S. textile jobs and the growing industry in Haiti,” said Steve Lamar, president and CEO of AAFA. “We now urge President Trump to sign the bill into law quickly to ensure this 10-year renewal of the CBTPA that will foster predictable and stable trade with Haiti and support U.S. jobs.”
AAFA is a strong supporter CBTPA and has been calling for the renewal of the program for some time. In April, AAFA sent a letter to Congress emphasizing the importance of the program. On August 28, AAFA led a group of associations in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, calling for him to convey support for the program in conversations with Congress. Today’s action followed a similar letter by that group of associations to every Senator urging CBTPA’s speedy renewal.