2012 Letters and Comments
12.28.12 - AAFA Thanks CBP for Work on Port Issues
AAFA sent a letter addressed to Acting Commissioner David Aguilar of U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) thanking CBP for their rapid response to clear vessel backlogs after the 2012 8-day labor strike in the Ports of LA/Long Beach, and their guidance for diverted and anchored vessels in the case of an East and Gulf Coast strike upon the December 29 Master Contract expiration.
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12.20.12 - Multi-Industry Letter to President Obama on Potential East Coast Port Strike
AAFA joined 106 other trade associations in a multi-industry letter to President Obama, Members of Congress, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, and East Coast Governors, highlighting the impending danger of the potential East and Gulf Coast port strike. The letter urged immediate action by the President to keep port operations free of the extremely harmful disruptions that a coast-wide strike would bring.
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12.20.12 - Letters to Congress on Ex-Im Bank Textile Study
AAFA joined with the National Cotton Council (NCC) and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) in sending letters to key Congressional supporters praising the report published November 26, 2012 by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) providing a candid assessment of the textile industry's use of Ex-Im Bank products.
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12.11.12 - AAFA Letter to Administration on West Coast Port Strikes and Upcoming East Coast Contract Deadline
AAFA sent a letter to President Obama expressing relief for the end of the labor strike at the Ports of LA/Long Beach, and urging his immediate attention and involvement in the contract negotiations for East and Gulf Coast port labor.
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12.07.12 - AAFA Letter to Daewoo on Uzbek Cotton
AAFA joined with the National Retail Federation (NRF) in sending a letter to Daewoo, the Korean conglomerate, requesting information with respect to reports that three Daewoo subsidiaries located in Uzbekistan source and utilize substantial amounts of Uzbek cotton.
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12.7.12 - Multi-industry Letter to ILA & USMX on Reaching New Contract for East Coast Ports
AAFA signed on a letter to the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), the labor and employer associations for East and Gulf Coast ports, urging them to continue negotiations and reach a new contract agreement before the December 29 deadline with no disruptions to the supply chain.
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12.07.12 - Multi-Association Letter to Union and Employer Leadership on East Coast Port Negotiations
AAFA joined 70 other trade associations in sending a letter to leadership of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) urging the parties to reach an agreement on a contract to avoid a coast-wide strike.
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12.04.12 - Mutli-Association Letter to President Obama on Restoring West Coast Port Operations
AAFA signed on a letter to President Obama, along with 97 other associations, urging his direct and immediate involvement to restore operations in the Ports of LA/Long Beach as they experienced a widespread labor strike.
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11.30.12 - AAFA Board of Directors Letter to President Obama on West Coast Port Strikes
A coalition of business leaders on AAFA's Board of Directors sent a letter November 30 to President Obama urging immediate and effective action to end labor stoppages in the Port of LA/Long Beach.
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11.28.12 - Letter to CA Congressmen on West Coast Port Strikes
AAFA sent a letter to all California Congressmen informing them of work stoppages on the part of the Officer Clerical Union (OCU) Local 63 and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) at the Port of LA / Long Beach, expressing grave concern and urging a swift resolution to the situation. Any ILWU work stoppages have the potential to become coast-wide labor strikes.
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11.20.12 - Multi-Association Letter Opposing Administation Objections on MTBs
Multi-Association Letter sent by AAFA and four other assocations opposing Administration objections to footwear MTBs and urging Administration to reconsider this position.
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11.19.12 - AAFA Letter Opposing Administration Objections to Footwear/Apparel MTBs
AAFA sent a letter to the Obama administration urging the administration to immediately withrdraw its objections to AAFA-supported footwear and apparel Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (MTBs).
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11.16.12 - Comments to FTC on Fur Labeling Requirements
AAFA submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission on proposed changes to the Fur Product Labeling Act.
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11.16.12 - Comments to FTC on Care Labels
AAFA submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission on proposed changes to the Care Labeling Rule.
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11.14.12 Multi-Industry Letter, signed by 232 associations, on entitlement reform.
AAFA signed on on to a multi-association letter to the Administration and Congress urging common-sense entitlement reform as part of an end of year budget deal.
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11.15.12 - Comments to DOT on MAP-21 Interim Guidance
AAFA submitted comments to the Department of Transportation on interim guidance for the State Freight Plan and State Freight Advisory Committee provisions contained in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
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11.09.12 - Letter to Seattle City Council on Proposed Employment Screening Ordinance
AAFA authored and sent a multi-association letter to the Seattle City Council, the Councilmember behind the proposal, and the Mayor of Seattle in response to a proposed ordinance which would greatly restrict employers in their ability to conduct criminal background checks in the hiring process.
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11.08.12 - Letter of Support for Russia PNTR
AAFA joined hundreds of other associations and companies representing the entire U.S. business community in sending a letter to Congress in support of Russia PNTR legislation.
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11.08.12 - comments on US-EU regulatory cooperation
AAFA submitted comments to the United States Government and European Commission suggesting ways to promote greater transatlantic regulatory compatibility.
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10.26.12 - Footwear Association Letter to Customs on Footwear Textile Outsole Rules
The footwear associations representing the entire breadth of the U.S. footwear industry – from manufacturers and importers to brands and retailers – sent a letter urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to immediately issue its final guidance immediately regarding Additional U.S. Note 5 to Chapter 64 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).
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10.17.12 - AAFA Letter to USTR Kirk on TPP & Vietnam
AAFA sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk in response to a October 9, 2012 letter from AMTAC to Ambassador Kirk that urged the U.S. government to remove Vietnam from the TPP negotiations.
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10.15.12 - Comments to USTR on Foreign Trade Barriers for National Trade Estimate
AAFA submitted Comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) outlining the main trade barriers affecting U.S. apparel and footwear companies which should be included in USTR's annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report.
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10.12.12 - California Consumer Safe Products Proposed Regulations
The AAFA submitted the following comments in response to the request for public comments by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on the Safer Consumer Products Proposed Regulations.
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10.12.12 - AAFA Comments to USTR Urging Quick AGOA Renewal
AAFA submitted comments urging the Obama administration to begin efforts to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) ASAP. Recent uncertainty over the extension of AGOA's third-country fabric provisions has already taken a heavy toll on Africa, African workers, and U.S. importers. With the pending expiration of AGOA in 2015, any further uncertainty could unravel all of the benefits AGOA has provided to Africa over the last decade.
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09.28.12 - Letter to CPSC on Section 6(b) policy change
AAFA signed onto a Coalition letter sent to the CPSC regarding a change in CPSC policy on the disclosure of company-identifiable information. The letter requests a meeting with senior CPSC staff and members of the General Counsel's office.
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09.27.12 - Comments to USTR on Argentina’s Import Restrictions
AAFA comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) supporting the request of consultations with the Government of Argentina by the Government of the United States under the dispute settlement process of the World Trade Organization concerning Argentina’s restrictive import policies.
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09.24.12 - Letter to USTR on China's WTO Commitments
AAFA submitted comments to USTR for USTR's annual report on China's compliance with its WTO commitments. The comments stress the importance of the U.S.-China relationship -- for U.S. workers, U.S. consumers, U.S. businesses, and the U.S. economy. AAFA urged the U.S. government to focus its efforts on critical issues in the U.S.-China relationship that are hurting U.S. workers and U.S. businesses,, like counterfeiting, including the rise of rogue websites, and distribution rights.
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09.19.12 - Letter to ITC on Mexico and Canada Joining TPP
In its comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for its report on the economic effects on the United States of Mexico and Canada joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement negotiations, AAFA argues that adding Mexico and Canada to the TPP will have a positive economic effect on the United States, but only if United States uses the TPP negotiations to first address critical supply chain issues, particularly with Mexico, as well as problems with NAFTA.
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09.14.12 - Special 301 Notorious Markets Comments to USTR
AAFA submitted its annual Special 301 Notorious Markets comments to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on foreign and online markets that traffic and sell counterfeit goods.
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09.12.12 - Multi-Association Letter on Fiscal Cliff
Letter sent by AAFA and more than hundred other associations urging action to prevent the "fiscal cliff."
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09.05.12 - Letter to Dept. of Transportation on Passage of (MAP-21)
The recent passage of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) represents a true milestone for freight. Through the establishment of a national freight policy, this legislation recognizes and prioritizes the economic significance of our nation’s supply chain infrastructure. We, the Freight Stakeholders Coalition (Coalition), applaud Congress and the Administration for working together to produce a bill that establishes a framework for freight planning and increases focus on goods.
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09.04.12 - Comments to USTR on Mexico's Inclusion in the TPP Agreement
AAFA comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) supporting Mexico's planned inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement negotiations, but expressing a number of serious concerns that AAFA believes must be addressed before Mexico can fully join any TPP agreement.
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09.04.12 - Comments to USTR on Canada Joining the TPP Negotiations
AAFA comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) supporting Canada's planned inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement negotiations, but expressing a number of concerns that AAFA believes must be addressed before Canada can fully join any TPP agreement.
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09.04.12 - Letter to ILA & USMX on East Coast Port Labor Negotiations
AAFA, along with several other industry associations, sent a letter to the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance urging the two parties to return to contract negotiations in order to avoid potential port labor strikes on the East and Gulf Coasts.
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08.31.12 - Letter Urging Senate to Increase Value for De Minimis Shipments
AAFA joined dozens of other business organizations in sending a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate urging them to support passage of legislation that would increase the value allowed under so-called "de minimis" shipments. De minimis shipments, or currently shipments valued under $800, are shipments able to enter the United States under simplified procedures that provide significant savings to shippers, particularly small and medium shippers.
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08.21.2012 - Letter to Senate on TSCA Reform
AAFA joined with 68 other organizations in sending a letter to United States Senate asking for a bipartisan effort to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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08.12.12 - Comments to ICANN on gTLD Expansion
AAFA submitted comments to ICANN on their proposed expansion of generic Top Level Domain Names (gTLDs).
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08.10.12 - Comments to IPEC on IPR Enforcement Strategic Planning
AAFA submitted comments to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator on their upcoming strategic IPR enforcement plan.
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08.07.12 - Letter to ICANN from House and Senate Judiciary Committee
House and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members send letter to ICANN expressing continued concern over the gTLD expansion and how ICANN intends to ensure intellectual property rights are protected.
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07.27.12 - AAFA Comments to the EPA on the Significant New Use Rule for Benzidine-based Chemical Substances
AAFA Submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Significant New Use Rule for Benzidine-based Chemical Substances.
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07.03.12 - Joint Letter with VITAS on TPP Apparel Provisions
Letter sent by AAFA and 5 other trade associations, including one representing the Vietnam Textile and Apparel industry (VITAS), urging commercially meaningful provisions for apparel in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
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06.28.12 - AAFA Member Testimony before Small Business Subcommittee
GCC Chairman Michael Mansh Testimony before the House Small Business Committee
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06.27.12 - Letter to Transportation Conference on Freight Provisions
AAFA sent a letter to members of the Transportation Conference urging them to retain freight provisions in the final bill.
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06.25.12 - Comments to CBP on Info Sharing Rule
AAFA submitted comments to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on an interim rule made effective in April to allow customs agents to provide information to trademark owners to assist CBP in determining if suspect goods are counterfeit.
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06.22.12 - MTB Comments to House Ways & Means Committee
AAFA submitted comments to the House Ways & Means Committee in support of a Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process that is open, transparent, and non-controversial. The AAFA comments also expressed strong support for over 180 bills introduced in the House as part of the 2012 MTB process that AAFA believes would comply with such a process while temporarily reducing or eliminating import duties on certain types of footwear, apparel, textiles, and related products.
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06.22.12 - MTB Comments to Senate Finance Committee
AAFA submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee in support of a Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process that is open, transparent, and non-controversial. The AAFA comments also expressed strong support for dozens of bills introduced in the Senate as part of the 2012 MTB process that AAFA believes would comply with such a process while temporarily reducing or eliminating import duties on certain types of footwear, apparel, textiles, and related products.
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06.20.12 - AAFA Testimony before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision
AAFA delivered testimony before the Consumer Product Safety Commission and expressed industry perspectives about ongoing and upcoming CPSC priorities.
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06.19.12 - Multi-Organization Ltr on Uzbek Cotton
AAFA joined with dozens of other organizations in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing disppointment that the U.S. government did not downgrade Uzbekistan to "Tier 3" status in its just released 2012 Trafficking in Person Report. The letter notes that the Uzbek government has done nothing to curb the use of government sanctioned forced adult and forced child labor during Uzbekistan's fall cotton harvest.
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06.14.12 - AAFA Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee on Labor Amendments in FY2013 Bill
AAFA sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee supporting amendments to the Fiscal Year 2013 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agency Appropriations Bill that would have overturned recent harmful decisions issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
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06.13.12 - Business Community Letter to Congress on AGOA Third-Country Fabric Extension and CAFTA-DR Fixes
AAFA joined with over a dozen organizations representing not only the entire textile and apparel supply chain, but the entire U.S. business community in urging Congress to immediately approve the extension of the third-country fabric provision under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is currently set to expire September 30, 2012, and the long-pending technical fixes to the U.S./Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
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06.12.12 - Letter to Obama Administration on Designating Textile Funding
AAFA and a number of textile organizations sent a letter to Gene Sperling, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, asking for the Administration to find funding for research and development to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. industry.
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06.01.12 - AAFA Comments to the EPA on the Significant New Use Rule for Certain Polybrominated Diphenylethers
AAFA submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Significant New Use Rule for Certain Polybrominated Diphenylethers.
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05.31.12 - AAFA statement as part of the Freight Stakeholders Coalition's comments on Senator Cantwell National Freight Office initiative
AAFA joined members of the Freight Stakeholders Coalition in a press release lauding Senator Cantwell's proposal for all National Freight Office within the Department of Transportation
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05.23.12 - Joint Association Letter to Congressional Conference on National Freight Policy
AAFA joined 17 other members of the Freight Stakeholders Coalition in sending a May 23 letter encouraging the Congressional members of the conference on federal transportation authorization to include a national freight policy in the final bill.
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05.18.12 - Letter to NY State Codes Committee Expressing Opposition to Legislation on Counterfeit Clothing Donations
AAFA joined with other groups in opposing a well-intended proposal to allow for the donation of counterfeit clothing and shoes to disadvantaged people.
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05.17.12 - AAFA Testimony to House Foreign Affairs Committee on Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
AAFA submitted written testimony regarding the s House Foreign Affairs Committee Joint Trade/Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee hearing titled “The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Challenges and Potential.”
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05.17.12 - AAFA House Ways & Means Committee Customs Reauthorization Testimony
AAFA submitted written testimony regarding the House Ways & Means Committee Trade Subcommittee hearing titled “Economic Growth and Job Creation through Customs Trade Modernization, Facilitation, and Enforcement.”
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05.16.12 - Joint Footwear Industry Letter to Obama Administration Urging End to Japan's Leather Footwear TRQ before Joining TPP
Letter to the Obama administration from the associations representing the entire U.S. footwear industry -- U.S. manufacturers, U.S. brands, and U.S. retailers, and the one million U.S. workers employed by our industry – requesting that the administration strongly urge Japan to address its long-standing TRQ on leather footwear imports before providing any invitation to Japan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
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05.14.12 - AAFA/NCTO Key Vote Ltr Urging Senate to Approve Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) sent joint key vote letter urging the U.S. Senate to VOTE YES on H.R. 2072 - Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2011. The legislation reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank and includes key AAFA-supported provisions that should open up Bank financing to the textile and apparel supply chain.
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05.10.12 - AAFA Testimony to House Financial Services Subcommittee on Conflict Minerals
Testimony of AAFA Before House Financial Services Subcommittee on impact of Dodd Frank conflict minerals provision on the apparel and footwear industry.
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05.09.12 - Letter to Senate on Disclose Act
Multi-industry coalition letter, signed by 124 organizations, sent to Senate opposing the DISCLOSE 2012 Act (S. 2219)
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05.08.12 - Business Coalition Letter Urging Strong IPR Protections in TPP
AAFA joined over 30 business organizations in sending a letter to President Barack Obama on the importance of securing comprehensive and high-standard intellectual-property protections in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement negotiations.
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05.08.12 - AAFA/NCTO Key Vote Ltr on Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Legislation
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) sent joint key vote letter urging the U.S. House of Representatives to VOTE YES on H.R. 2072 - Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2011. The legislation would reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and includes key AAFA-supported provisions that should open up Bank financing to the textile and apparel supply chain.
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05.01.12 - Footwear Industry Ltr to U.S. Customs Urging Determination ASAP on Textile Outsoles
AAFA joined the associations representing the entire U.S. footwear industry in sending a letter urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make a final determination ASAP on the meaning of the new Additional U.S. Note 5 to Chapter 64 of the HTSUS, which was created as part of the new footwear textile oustole rules implemented by President Barack Obama on December 3, 2011. The now five month delay has left the classification of, and the duty-rates for, millions of shoes in limbo.
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04.25.12 - Joint Letter to House OGR Committee in Support of HR2008
Last week, AAFA joined more than 150 organizations on a letter to the members of the House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee to express support for legislation that would prohibit the White House from forcing federal agencies to require government contractors to disclose their political spending as a condition of participating in the federal procurement process.
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05.22.12 - Coalition Letter to Senate Government Reform Committee on Keeping Politics out of Contracting
AAFA joined more than 150 businesses and groups expressing support for legislation that affirms that political spending should play no part in federal contracting decisions.
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04.24.12 - Multi-Stakeholder Letter on Uzbek Cotton to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
AAFA joined and unprecedented group of stakeholders in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging Clinton to warn the Uzbek government that if they don't take the necessary action on the issue of forced labor, forced child labor, and human trafficking in Uzbekistan's cotton fields, the United States will downgrade Uzbekistan to Tier 3 in its 2012 Annual Trafficking in Persons Report due in June.
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04.23.12 - Letter to President Obama on Mexico Business Practices
AAFA sent a letter to President Obama urging him to address the concerns of American businesses regarding harmful business practices in Mexico.
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04.18.12 - Multi-Association Letter on India Cotton Export Ban
Multi-association letter to the Government of India urging the India to end it cotton export ban.
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04.18.12 - Multi-Association Letter on Death of Bangladesh Labor Leader Aminul Islam
Letter to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed from the associations representing the thousands of buyers comprising the apparel, retail, licensing, and footwear industries in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The letter expresses great concern over the death of Mr. Aminul Islam of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) and urges the Government of Bangladesh to take quick action and concrete steps to respond to the situation.
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04.18.12 - AAFA Joins Industry Sign On Letter for EEOC Guidance on Criminal Background Checks
AAFA signed onto a letter with 46 other associations expressing concerns over the pending changes to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidance on Criminal Background Checks.
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04.17.12 - Joint AAFA/NCC/NCTO Testimony Urging Congress to Approve Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization
Joint AAFA/NCC/NCTO testimony to the Senate Banking Committee for its April 17 hearing on legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The testimony urges Congress to approve the legislation, which includes provisions to encourage the Export-Import Bank to provide much needed financing to the Western Hemisphere textile and apparel supply chain.
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04.06.12 - Letter to President Obama on Brazil Import Restrictions
AAFA sent a letter to President Obama urging him to address the concerns of American businesses regarding Brazil's import restrictions during an upcoming meeting with the President of Brazil.
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04.02.12 - Letter to Mexico Secretary of Economy on Mexico/China Footwear Agreement
AAFA sent a letter to the Secretary of Economy of Mexico asking for details on an agreement between Mexico and China regarding imported footwear from China.
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03.29.12 - Multi Association Letter to DHS on ACE Funding for CBP
Multi-association letter sent by AAFA and 28 other associations urging funding for the ACE program.
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03.26.12 - Comments to FTC on Wool Rules
AAFA submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission on its Wool Rules.
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03.21.12 - AAFA urges Obama administration to address imminent Nicaragua TPL expiration under CAFTA-DR
AAFA sent a letter urging the Obama administration to immediately address the imminent expiration of the Nicaragua TPL under CAFTA-DR.
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03.20.12 - Walter Jones Letter to Panetta on Reverse Auction
Mar 20, 2012
Rep. Walter Jones sent a letter to Defense Secretary Panetta expressing his concerns with the use of Reverse Auction and Low Price Technically Acceptable procurement procedures.
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03.15.12 - Joint AAFA/NCC/NCTO Key Vote Letter on Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
AAFA joined with the National Cotton Council (NCC) and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is sending a key vote letter urging the Senate to approve and amendment to the pending JOBS package that would have reauthorized the Export-Import Bank. The amendment included an AAFA-supported provision that would have taken a first step towards refocusing the goals of the Export-Import Bank towards supporting the vibrant Western Hemisphere textile and apparel supply chain.
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03.09.12 – AAFA Joins U.S. Business Community in Urging Immediate Congressional Renewal of Expiring AGOA Third-Country Fabric Provision
AAFA joined with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other major business community trade groups sending a letter urging Congress to immediately renew the expiring third-country fabric provision under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
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03.09.12 - Industry Letter to Cambodian Government
AAFA, along with the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the Ethical Trading Initiative, and a broad range of apparel and footwear brands and retailers sent a letter to Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce H. E. Cham Prasidh expressing concern over recent violent unrest that continues to plague Cambodia.
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03.07.12 - AAFA Tells Congress Imports Are Good, Urges Realigning of U.S. Trade Policy
In written testimony for the March 7, 2012 Senate Finance Committee hearing titled "President Obama's Trade Policy and the Future of U.S. Trade Negotiations," AAFA argued that imports are good for U.S. workers, U.S. families, U.S. business, and the U.S. economy. With this in mind, AAFA urged Congress realign U.S. trade policy by quickly considering and approving key AAFA legislative initiatives, tackling trade preference reform, and taking a new approach to the TPP FTA negotiations.
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02.29.12 - AAFA Tells Congress Imports Are Goods, Urges Realigning of Trade Policy
In written testimony for the February 29, 2012 House Ways & Means Committee hearing titled "President Obama's Trade Policy and the Future of U.S. Trade Negotiations," AAFA argued that imports are goods for U.S. workers, U.S. families, U.S. business, and the U.S. economy. With this in mind, AAFA urged Congress realign U.S. trade policy by quickly considering and approving key AAFA legislative initiatives, tackling trade preference reform, and taking a new approach to the TPP FTA negotiations.
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02.27.12 - AAFA Letter Urging Strong Investor-State Provisions in TPP
AAFA President & CEO Kevin M. Burke joined the heads of 30 other major trade associations in sending a letter to President Barack Obama urging the United States to negotiate comprehensive and enforceable investor-state dispute settlement provisions for all countries under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement.
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02.22.12 - AAFA Urges Customs to Clarify New Footwear Textile Outsole Rules ASAP
AAFA submitted comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) urging CBP to clarify ASAP the meaning of the new "Additional U.S. Note 5" in Chapter 64 of the HTSUS, a new provision created by the recent footwear textile outsole rule changes implemented by President Barack Obama in December 2011.
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02.17.12 - Joint Letter in Support of Legislation to Give Duty-Free Access to LDCs
AAFA sent a joint letter to Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) expressing strong support for her legislation, S. 1443, that would provide duty-free access to the United States for products from least-developed countries (LDCs) like Bangladesh and Cambodia.
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02.15.12 - Letter to Washington Senate on Trucker Employee Mandate
AAFA joined 29 other organizations in sending a letter to the Washington State Senate opposing SHB 2395, which would mandate all drayage truck drivers wishing to access Washington ports, including independent owner-operators, to be classified as employees of companies.
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02.15.12 - Letter to Senate Leadership on National Freight Policy
AAFA sent a multi-association letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell supporting the inclusion of a national freight transportation policy in the reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs.
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02.10.12 - Comments Submitted to USTR for Special 301 Report
Annual Comments Submitted by AAFA for USTR's Special 301 Report for 2011.
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02.09.12 - Joint TPP Apparel Coalition / Peruvian Industry Letter Calling for More Flexible Rules for Apparel in the TPP
The AAFA-supported TPP Apparel Coalition joined with the Peruvian apparel industry in sending a letter to both the U.S. and Peruvian governments calling for more flexible rules for apparel in the TPP
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02.07.12 - Multi-Association Letter to New Jersey Assembly on Truck Driver Classification
AAFA joined with 21 other associations in sending a February 7 letter to members of the New Jersey State Assembly opposing the Truck Operator Independent Contractor Act (A1578/S1450).
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02.03.12 - Support Letter to Rep. Michaud on HR 2955
AAFA sent a letter of support for Rep. Michaud's legislation including "footwear" to the Berry Amendment.
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02.03.12 - AAFA Comments to Customs on CAFTA-DR Documentation Requirements
AAFA comments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expressing strong concern with CBP's burdensome and onerous documentation and paperwork requirements for apparel and textile goods under CAFTA-DR.
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02.02.12 - Association Comments to FTC on Textile Labeling Rules
AAFA joined a group of associations in submitting comments on specific Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.
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02.02.12 - Comments to FTC on Textile Labeling Rules
AAFA submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission on the Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.
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02.02.12 - Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee opposing Clean Ports Amendment
AAFA sent a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee opposing the port accessibility amendment proposed for transportation funding bill.
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02.01.12 - Letter to EEOC on Criminal Background Checks
AAFA joined with 53 other trade associations in sending a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) urging the Commission to continue to allow for the use of criminal background checks in employment screenings.
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02.01.12 - Letter to Senate on eFairness
AAFA signed onto a letter urging the Senate to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2012 (S. 1832).
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02.01.12 - Letter to Senate Finance Committee on eFairness
AAFA Signed onto a letter urging the Senate to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2012 (S. 1832)
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01.30.12 - Letter to Washington House of Representatives on Chassis Liability
AAFA sent a letter to the members of the Washington House Transportation Committee opposing H.B. 2527 concerning intermodal container chassis.
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01.24.12 - Entire U.S. Footwear Industry Supports Affordable Footwear Act
AAFA joined with all of the trade associations representing the U.S. footwear industry — from footwear manufacturers to distributors, brands, and retailers — in sending a letter to Congress in support of the Affordable Footwear Act (S. 1069).
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01.24.12 - Footwear Industry Letter to Congress in Support of Affordable Footwear Act (S. 1069)
Letter from the associations representing every aspect of the U.S. footwear industry - from footwear manufacturers to footwear distributors, brands, and retailers - to Congress in support of the Affordable Footwear Act (S. 1069).
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01.24.12 - Letter to President Obama on Proposed Trade Agency Reorganization
AAFA joined 85 other trade association representing every sector of the U.S. economy in sending a letter to President Barack Obama expressing concerns with Obama's proposed reorganization of the government agencies involved in trade issues.
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01.23.12 - Comments to CPSC on Random vs Representative
AAFA submitted comments to the CPSC on the change from random to representative for testing and certification.
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01.23.12 - Comments to CPSC on Testing
AAFA submitted comments to the CPSC on reducing the burden of third party testing.
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01.13.12 - Letter to Brazilian Government Regarding Rainforest
AAFA sent a letter to the Brazilian government regarding proposed changes to the forest code, which could affect leather sourced from Brazil.
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01.13.12 - Comments to DTSC on Green Chemistry Regulations
AAFA signed on to comments from the Green Chemistry Alliance regarding draft green chemistry regulations the California Department of Toxic Substances Control circulated at the end of 2011.
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01.13.12 - TPP Apparel Coalition Comments on Mexico, Japan, and Canada Interest in TPP Negotiations
Comments filed by TPP Apparel Coalition, of which AAFA is a member, supporting addition of Japan, Mexico, and Canada to TPP negotiations, and reinforcing key goals of TPP talks.
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01.13.12 - Comments to USTR on Mexico interest in TPP Negotiations
AAFA letter to USTR supporting Mexico's participation in TPP negotiations.
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01.13.12 - Comments to USTR on Canada interest in TPP Negotiations
AAFA letter to USTR supporting Canada's participation in TPP negotiations.
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01.13.12 - Comments to USTR on Japan Interest in TPP Negotiations
AAFA letter to USTR supporting Japan's participation in TPP negotiations.
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01.10.12 - Letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader on Clean Ports Act of 2011
AAFA joined with the Clean and Sustainable Transportation Coalition in sending a letter to the U.S. Senate opposing the Clean Ports Act of 2011 (S.2011) that would make a counterproductive change to longstanding federal law and unfairly close the drayage market at ports.
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01.09.12 - Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee on Rogue Web Sites
AAFA sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee highlighting the problem with rogue Web sites for trademarks owners.
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01.09.12 - Letter to House Judiciary Committee on Rogue Web Sites
AAFA sent letter to House Judiciary Committee outlining the harm rogue Web sites pose to the apparel and footwear industry and its consumers.
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