Newsletter at-a-glance

AAFA Chairman Paula Zusi shares insights on retail's health in 2018 in today's lead article. Meanwhile, President Trump's first State of the Union address is tonight (see preview under Trade), and The New York Times published an investigative report on the sale of fake social media followers and interactions to boost social media influence (see Brand Protection).

January 29: ... U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said after a sixth round of NAFTA negotiations in Montreal that Trump’s views on the pact are unchanged, and cautioned that talks are still moving too slowly on U.S. priorities. (Source: Reuters)

January 29: ... The EU's warning comes less than 24 hours after the president expressed his annoyance with EU trade policy, saying it "may morph into something very big." (Source: CBS News)

January 27: ... According to a senior White House official, the theme of the speech will be "building a safe, strong and proud America." (Source: CNBC)

January 29: ... It’s true, 2017 was a rough year for our industry. ... But is "doom and gloom" really the future of retail? (Source: Sourcing Journal, op-ed from AAFA's Paula Zusi - article unlocked)

January 29: Whistleblower lawyers see room for extra business on a new front: chasing customs-linked wrongdoing ranging from failing to label imported goods to shipping rhinoceros horn across the border. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

January 25: There is increasing evidence that the supply of trucks available to move freight is outpacing demand, based on a flurry of recently released reports – but it’s also helping push freight rates higher. (Source: Heavy Duty Trucking)

January 29: A variety of products could soon be marked using a new sand and chemical mix that is claimed to be "the world’s most secure marking system for combatting pirated goods." (Source: Securing Industry)

Confused by tax reform? On February 1, AAFA will lead a discussion with tax specialists from RSM to explore the contours of the new tax legislation and explain how you can best take advantage of it. Learn more about the member-only webinar Decoding the New Tax Code.

AAFA CEO discusses millennials and the golf industry: Rick Helfenbein, AAFA's president and CEO, represented the association at the PGA Show last week, serving as keynote speaker with a session on politics and its impact on the industry. 

Watch Rick's interview with the GOLF Channel!

AAFA testifies on future of AGOA: AAFA submitted testimony to the International Trade Commission on January 29 in support of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), highlighting opportunities for U.S. trade with Sub-Saharan Africa.

Member Welcome: ARCHE Advisors

ARCHE Advisors is renowned for our subject matter expertise in social auditing, supply chain labor and human rights management, and risk mitigation. Our team has more than two decades of experience helping brands manage the social and environmental impacts of their globalized supply chains. We offer strategic guidance to companies as they design and implement their supply chain program objectives, carry out industry-level benchmarking for leading companies and industry forums, develop field assessment protocols and standards guidance, and more. We conduct whistleblower investigations at the corporate and supply chain level, execute human rights impact assessments at the country and commodity level in the supply chain, and develop customized traceability assessments and projects from product to raw material origin to assist in responsible sourcing claims. Our team of experienced professionals are well positioned to support your program goals.

February Feb. 1 Webinar: Decoding the New Tax Code Feb. 7 Social Responsibility Committee Meeting Feb. 7 Environmental Committee Meeting Feb. 8 Product Safety Seminar Feb. 21 Webinar: Millennials, Parents, and Textile Sustainability  Feb. 28 Board of Directors Meeting and Capitol Hill Visit  Feb. 28 - March 2 AAFA Executive Summit   Visit our events calendar for all AAFA webinars and industry events.

Honor fashion visionaries at the American Image Awards

Other Industry Events

FN Platform and SOURCING at MAGIC
February 12-14 | Las Vegas, NV
AAFA will lead two sessions on February 12 in Las Vegas - one covering anti-counterfeiting and one about how U.S. global value chains can shape U.S. trade policy.