U.S. House Passes Andean TPA Extension
Apparel and footwear organizations praised the House of Representatives’ extension of the Andean Trade Preferences Act for one more year.
The extension allows Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to export certain goods, such as clothing and footwear, to the United States free of duty. ATPA has been in effect since 1991 and requires the Andean countries to take part in an anti-narcotics program to eradicate the drug trade in their countries. Bolivia used to be part of ATPA, but President George W. Bush asked in 2008 that the South American country be removed after it failed to participate in the anti-narcotics program.
The House on Dec. 14 also extended the General System of Preferences, now 32 years old, for another year. GSP gives 132 developing countries the opportunity to export many of their goods to the United States duty free. Both trade programs, set to expire on Dec. 31, were approved by voice vote.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association praised the House’s swift action. “The House’s action to renew these two vital programs was critically important,” said AAFA President and Chief Executive Kevin M. Burke. “Our industry’s ability to utilize these programs helps keep prices low for hardworking American families on necessities like T-shirts, socks and other clothing items.”
The U.S. Senate is poised to consider the trade matters soon before they can be implemented.—Deborah Belgum
