Tai to Textile Makers: Put the “U.S.” back into USTR.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai addressed the annual meeting of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the umbrella group representing textiles "from fibers to finished products, machinery manufacturers to power suppliers." 

"A priority of mine as the U.S. Trade Representative has been to put the “U.S.” back into USTR.  This means that USTR will not sit around and wait for our workers and other underserved stakeholders to come find us—we are coming to you, meeting you where you are, where you work and raise your families," said Ambassador Tai.

"We want to work with all stakeholders to bring more production back to this hemisphere, while also strengthening regional supply chains and supporting good-paying jobs in the United States and Central America" se added.  "This is how we grow together; this is how we incentivize a race to the top for our people."
 
Tai highlighted workstreams on the CAFTA-DR Textiles and Apparel Supply Chain Directory and a joint project with Customs and Border Patrol as examples of industry specific assistance.

 
She said the Administration remains committed to "leveraging and safeguarding the strong yarn-forward rules of origin for apparel under the CAFTA-DR," noting that renewing the Miscellaneous Tariff Bills program and addressing the impact of de minimis on some manufacturers and retailers remains the responsibility of Congress.