To celebrate National Manufacturing Day 2016, the National Council of Textile Organizations is publishing a list of “Did You Know” items to let Americans know about the industry’s resurgence.
NCTO: China Has Not Earned Market Economy Status
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) continued its call for the Obama administration to reject China’s request that it should be designated a market economy under the World Trade Organization (WTO). China is seeking a formal designation as a market economy on December 11, 2016, the 15th anniversary of the country’s accession to the WTO. Currently, the U.S. Commerce Department treats China as a non-market economy when calculating anti-dumping margins and other trade remedies.
“Treating China as a market economy would defy logic,” said NCTO President & CEO Augustine Tantillo.
“China’s chronic misallocation of investment to expand its state-owned enterprises in the textile supply chain and in other industrial sectors where there is an excess of global capacity invariably leads to Chinese dumping and other non-free-market economic practices,” Tantillo continued.
“Those actions hurt the global economy and should not be rewarded by the United States,” Tantillo added.
Tantillo also noted NCTO’s support for recent statements by the Obama administration at the WTO expressing the fact that China’s market reforms since joining the WTO have fallen short of expectations.
NCTO is a member of the Manufacturers for Trade Enforcement (MTE) coalition.
On July 11 and 12, MTE held briefings on Capitol Hill to explain why China does not meet the standard of a market economy. The PowerPoint accompanying those events may be found here.
To learn more about why China should not be granted market economy status, visit MTE’s website at www.tradeenforcement.org.
NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers. Visit our website at www.ncto.org.
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CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
(202) 822-8028
lwood@ncto.org
NCTO Lauds Congressional Actions Encouraging DOD to Buy U.S.-Made Textiles, Clothing, & Footwear
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) lauded recent congressional actions to preserve critical requirements for the Department of Defense (DOD) to buy U.S.-made textiles, clothing, and footwear.
Last Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted down an amendment to the defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5293) that would have permitted DOD to ignore the Berry Amendment and fund the purchases of foreign-made athletic shoes. NCTO supported a “NO” vote on the measure.
In May, U.S. Representatives Walter Jones (R-NC) and Niki Tsongas (D-MA) each offered amendments that were adopted by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) during its markup of H.R. 4909, the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that stopped attacks on the integrity of the Berry Amendment.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has led efforts to protect the Berry Amendment during that body’s consideration of the NDAA (S. 2943). Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Angus King (I-ME) also have worked hard to make sure DOD buys American.
“Laws requiring DOD to buy U.S.-made textiles, clothing, and footwear are pro-jobs and strengthen America’s national security,” said NCTO President and CEO Augustine Tantillo.
“We thank all members of the House and Senate who have voted and worked to preserve the integrity of the Berry Amendment,” Tantillo continued.
“The U.S. textile industry looks forward to working with our friends in the House and Senate to make sure the Berry Amendment is kept whole as Congress completes its work on important legislation to authorize and fund America’s armed forces,” Tantillo finished.
The Berry Amendment (10 USC 2533a) is a law requiring DOD to buy U.S.-made textiles, clothing, footwear, hand tools, measuring tools, and food.
NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.
- U.S. employment in the textile, clothing, and footwear supply chain was 592,000 in 2015.
- It is estimated that DOD annually procures 8,000+ different textile items for use by the U.S. military and other allied organizations, and this figure rises to more than 30,000 line items when individual sizes are factored into the item mix.
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CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
(202) 822-8028
lwood@ncto.org
NCTO Praises Senate Passage of American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4923, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, by unanimous consent. Because the House of Representatives passed an identical bill by a vote of 415-2 on April 27, H.R. 4923 will be sent to President Obama for his expected signature into law.
Endorsed by the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), H.R. 4923 reforms the process by which Congress will consider future Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) legislation. Through the MTB, Congress temporarily suspends or reduces tariffs on certain imported products not made in the United States to help American manufacturers reduce costs, create jobs, and compete in the global marketplace.
“This is a big win for U.S. manufacturing,” said NCTO President and CEO Augustine Tantillo. “We thank the Senate for moving the House bill quickly,” he continued.
“NCTO also would like to thank Finance Committee Chairman Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX), and the many other members of the House and Senate who worked so diligently to secure this victory for American workers,” Tantillo added.
“The MTB is essential to American competitiveness because U.S. textile manufacturers reinvest the duty savings to boost jobs and innovation,” Tantillo finished.
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CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
(202) 822-8028
lwood@ncto.org
U.S. House Passes American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act; NCTO Urges Immediate Senate Consideration
2016 04 27 NCTO Press Statement on House Passage of ACMA
PRESS STATEMENT
U.S. House Passes American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
NCTO Urges Immediate Senate Consideration
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4923, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, by a vote of 415-2.
Endorsed by the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), H.R. 4923 reforms the process by which Congress will consider future Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) legislation. Through the MTB, Congress temporarily suspends or reduces tariffs on certain imported products not made in the United States, helping American manufacturers reduce costs, create jobs, and compete in the global marketplace.
“We thank the House for passing this bill and urge the Senate to take it up immediately,” said NCTO President and CEO Augustine Tantillo.
“It is crucial for the Senate to move quickly so that the long-stalled MTB process can be restarted,” Tantillo continued.
“The MTB is essential to American competitiveness as U.S. textile manufacturers reinvest the duty savings to boost jobs and innovation,” Tantillo finished.
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NCTO Urges Swift Floor Action on American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
2016 04 20 NCTO Press Statement on W&M Markup of AMCA
April 20, 2016
CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
(202) 822-8028
lwood@ncto.org
PRESS STATEMENT
NCTO Urges Swift Floor Action on American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means marked up H.R. 4923, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act.
Endorsed by the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), H.R. 4923 reforms the process by which Congress will consider future Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) legislation. Through the MTB, Congress temporarily suspends or reduces tariffs on certain imported products not made in the United States, helping American manufacturers reduce costs, create jobs, and compete in the global marketplace.
“We thank Ways and Means for marking up this measure and call for the bill’s swift consideration on the House floor,” said NCTO President and CEO Augustine Tantillo.
“It is crucial for Congress to move quickly so that the long-stalled MTB process can be restarted,” Tantillo continued.
“The MTB is essential to American competitiveness,” Tantillo added. “U.S. textile manufacturers reinvest the duty savings to boost jobs and innovation.”
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News from 13th Annual NCTO Annual Meeting Held April 12-14, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
State of the Textile Industry PowerPoint
State of the Textile Industry Speech
April 14, 2016
CONTACT: Lloyd Wood
(202) 822-8028
lwood@ncto.org
PRESS STATEMENT
NCTO Elects New Chairman for 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Robert H. Chapman III, Chairman, CEO and Treasurer of Inman Mills was elected to serve as Chairman of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) for 2016 at the group’s 13th Annual Meeting held April 12-14 at The Capital Hilton hotel located in Washington, D.C. Inman Mills is a family-owned textile company headquartered in Inman, SC that manufactures yarns and fabrics – www.inmanmills.com.
Elected as NCTO Vice Chairman for 2016 was William V. McCrary Jr., President & CEO of William Barnet and Son LLC. Barnet is a global fiber, yarn and resin manufacturer. The company’s head office is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina – www.barnet.com.
2016 State of the Textile Industry Speech and PowerPoint
Before turning over his gavel to Chapman, outgoing 2015 NCTO Chairman Jeff Price delivered the 2016 State of the Textile Industry address. Price is President, Specialty Fabrics Division, of Milliken & Company – www.milliken.com.
NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.
- U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 579,000 in 2015.
- The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $76 billion last year, a nearly 14% increase since 2009.
- U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel are up 38% over that same time period, reaching $27.75 billion in 2015.
- Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2 billion in 2014, the last year for which data is available.
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U.S. Textile Manufacturers Endorse Trans-Pacific Partnership
January 21, 2016
Contact: Eliza Levy
202-822-8028
elevy@ncto.org
U.S. Textile Manufacturers Endorse Trans-Pacific Partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 20, 2016, the National Council of Textile Organizations voted to formally support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement. The decision to support TPP came after an exhaustive analysis determined that NCTO’s principle objectives were met as part of the finalized terms of the agreement. These objectives include:
- A strong yarn forward rule of origin for the vast majority of textile and apparel products.
- Reasonable, multi-year tariff phase-outs for sensitive textile and apparel products.
- Terms that provided for the stability of the Western Hemisphere textile and apparel production chain.
“Due to the inclusion of Vietnam and other major textile and apparel exporting countries, the TPP agreement is the most significant trade policy initiative to confront the U.S. textile sector over the past 25 years,” stated Jeff Price, NCTO Chairman and President of the Specialty Fabrics Division at Milliken and Company. “As such, it was critical for our government to produce a final agreement that appropriately reflected the needs of U.S. textile manufacturers and the hundreds of thousands of workers we employ nationwide. We believe that the agreement concluded late last year in Atlanta meets our core objectives and is worthy of our full support.”
“No agreement is perfect, and certainly that is the case with TPP,” Price continued. “There were difficult trade-offs that we, as U.S. manufacturers, had to consider during this process, as is the case with any complicated negotiation. Nonetheless, this agreement is very sound in the essential elements that govern textile trade. We stated throughout the entire negotiating process that if our key objectives were met, NCTO would support the final agreement. Today, we are making good on that commitment to the U.S. government by pledging our support of TPP. With legislative review and action expected in 2016, NCTO looks forward to working with congressional leadership, the committees of jurisdiction, our supporters on Capitol Hill, and the Obama Administration on a path forward for TPP.”
“We extend our thanks to Ambassador Michael Froman and the entire U.S. negotiating team for their willingness to acknowledge our input throughout the TPP process,” Price concluded.
The U.S. textile and apparel industry is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy, producing over $70 billion in annual output and employing nearly 500,000 workers nationwide. In addition, the U.S. textile and apparel sector exported more than $24 billion in goods in 2014.
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement Concluded
For Immediate Release
October 5, 2015
NCTO Thanks the U.S. Government for their Close Cooperation on Key Issues in the Textile Chapter
Washington, D.C. – Responding to the announcement that the Obama Administration has successfully concluded the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), NCTO expresses gratitude to U.S. negotiators for their close cooperation on key issues in the textile chapter. The twelve nations who finalized the agreement include the United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. These countries represent nearly 40% of global gross domestic product. Continue Reading
Textile Industry Calls on Obama Administration to Address Critical Issues Affecting U.S. Manufacturers during Chinese Presidential Visit
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) calls on the Obama Administration to utilize today’s visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to highlight the urgent need for substantial economic and trade policy reforms by China in order to help level the playing field for U.S. textile producers and other U.S. manufacturers. Continue Reading
