AAFA Chairman and Treasurer in Washington: Last week, AAFA Chairman Paula Zusi, Global Operations Advisor - Retail Supply Chain at Advent International Corporation, and Treasurer Gary Simmons, President and CEO of Gerber Childrenswear, came to D.C. to engage with legislators on key issues impacting the industry, including the Border Adjustment Tax (BAT) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

 

AAFA Treasurer Gary Simmons, Chairman Paula Zusi, and President and CEO Rick Helfenbein	AAFA President and CEO Rick Helfenbein, Chairman Paula Zusi, and Treasurer Gary Simmons, with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross

NAFTA hearings kickoff in D.C. AAFA provided oral testimony to the Office of the United States Trade Representative today, June 27, to provide insight on the importance of the trilateral agreement for the apparel and footwear industry. Key arguments emphasized 1) Doing no harm; 2) Implementing changes seamlessly; 3) Keeping the agreement trilateral; and 4) Using negotiations to fix other problems. Public hearings will continue on June 28 and 29. AAFA's written comments are available here.