On February 15, 2016, NCTO submitted testimony to the U.S. International Trade Commission on the potential impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on the U.S. textile industry.
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Studying U.S. Textile Sector
The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is undertaking a comprehensive study on the health, competiveness, and the contribution of the U.S. textile, apparel, and footwear industry to the U.S. economy. Among the topics included are:
- Current issues and challenges, and what can be done to support the industry.
- Effectiveness of the Berry Amendment and other Buy-American provisions.
The U.S. Department of Commerce conducted a similar assessment in 2003, “U.S. Textile and Apparel Industries: An Industrial Base Assessment.” A link to that study is below.
The U S Textile and Apparel Industries – An Industrial Base Assessment
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.
NCTO Statement on Release of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Text
Today’s release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) text allows NCTO to begin an exhaustive review of the details of the agreement. NCTO will immediately initiate a thorough analysis of the text to determine its impact on our members, the U.S. textile industry as a whole, and our Western Hemisphere trading partners. Continue Reading
Statement on the Passing of Congressman Howard Coble
NCTO is saddened to learn of former Congressman Howard Coble’s passing. Congressman Coble was a steadfast textile leader in Congress who dedicated his life to fighting for the real people and real jobs that the U.S. textile industry provided. He co-sponsored every bill, fought for every issue, and signed every letter that the U.S. Continue Reading
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
McKissick Elected Chairman of Clemson University Trustee Board
Smyth McKissick III of Greenville, a 1979 Clemson graduate and chief executive officer of Alice Manufacturing, was unanimously elected chairman of the Clemson University Board of Trustees at the board’s summer meeting in Greenville.
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Alexium Presents Environmentally-Friendly Flame Retardant Chemistry
TechTextil, July 11, 2015
Alexium specializes in developing environmentally-friendly flame retardant chemistries for many fabrics, including synthetic-rich fabrics in the textile industry. Jon Heard, Head of Business development and marketing during an interview to Pakistan Textile Journal highlights how Alexium together with iTextiles in Pakistan is developing the technical textiles and work wear garment segment in Pakistan.
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Companies Keep up Tradition of Textiles
July 7, 2015
Lincoln Times-News
Shelby Cook, Reporter
Since more than a century ago, Lincoln County has been home to numerous textile industries. While a good number of these businesses have moved overseas, many remain, especially those with more advanced manufacturing processes. These businesses still flourish through the production, manufacturing, and sales of textiles and textile supply products. These more modern textile industries remain a strong part of our economy. Continue Reading
