AAFA Reiterates Importance of CBTPA as President Extends Program to 2030
October 11, 2020 | WASHINGTON, D.C.
American Apparel & Footwear Association president and CEO Steve Lamar welcomed the signing of the "Extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act" by President Trump this weekend. The bill extends the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) to September 30, 2030.
"The CBTPA is an essential program that supports trade with Haiti and supports thousands of American and Haitian jobs in the textile and apparel sector. By extending the program for 10 years, the Trump administration has provided the industry with certainty to promote growth in the region and secure these jobs," said Lamar. "We are thankful to all of the champions in Congress who supported this bill and pushed it over the finish line."
CBTPA supports 30 percent of Haitian exports to the U.S., and has strong support in the apparel industry. AAFA has been calling for the extension of the program for some time, including letters to
Congress in April and
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in August, while more recently
calling on the Senate to pass and the
President to sign the bill.