Newsletter at-a-glance
AAFA has requested the opportunity to testify regarding the imposition of tariffs on U.S. imports from China, we're hosting more than 150 members and guests in D.C. this week for our government relations and supply chain innovation meetings, and we're gearing up for #WorldIPDay later this week.
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April 24: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will depart for China to negotiate over U.S. trade disputes within days, President Donald Trump said. "We have a very good chance of making a deal," Trump said in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. If the two sides can’t reach agreement, he said, proposed U.S. tariffs on billions of dollars in Chinese goods will take effect as planned. (Source: Bloomberg)
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April 20: ... The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) said Friday that it will take steps intended to add textile and apparel products to the current 301 retaliation list and remove the textile machinery items that already appear on the list. ( Source: Sourcing Journal - article unlocked)
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April 19: ... Some Chinese state media outlets have hinted darkly that Beijing could weaponize its hundreds of millions of shoppers should Washington go through with its recent tariff threats and start an all-out trade war. ... Beijing has done it before, ably punishing Japanese, South Korean and Philippine products and companies over political disputes. A Boycott America plan could be much tougher to pull off. ( Source: New York Times)
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April 24: As the global garment industry stops to reflect on the tragic events that took place in Bangladesh exactly five years ago today (24 April), it is also a time to consider what has changed, what hasn't - and what still needs to be done. Here we share the views of a number of industry executives and stakeholders on progress so far. (Source: just-style - article unlocked)
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April 23: ... "We urge the authorities to quickly investigate and take steps to ensure such practices are eliminated from the growing Chinese marketplace," said Stephen Lamar, executive vice president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, adding that members of his industry group had complained about unfair competitive practices by Alibaba. ( Source: Associated Press)
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April 23: Not every business owner automatically qualifies for the new tax break for pass-through businesses. ( Source: Wall Street Journal)
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April 20: ... "Any claim that products are ‘made by the same manufacturer’ as another major brand is a tell-tale sign of a possible bad actor," Steve Lamar, the [American Apparel & Footwear Association's] executive vice president, told Forbes. "The manufacturer is potentially violating an agreement with a brand partner." (Source: Forbes)
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April 20: The company is facing multiple lawsuits from brands who say it does not do enough to prevent fakes from being listed on its website. ( Source: The Atlantic)
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April 20: ... Digital trade and intellectual property are both topics that the USTR has expected to address in the negotiations. ( Source: Trade and Manufacturing Monitor)
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This week in D.C.! Today, AAFA's Government Relations Committee held its first in-person meeting of the year to discuss the latest policy news and concerns for the apparel and footwear industry. In addition to discussing the current trade and legislative agenda, attendees also received updates from several agencies within the Trump Administration, the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, among others. Members interested in joining the Government Relations Committee can contact Membership.
AAFA's conference Supply Chain Innovation: The Key to Success in the New Retail Dynamic will take place tomorrow in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
AAFA submits request to testify on tariff proposals: On April 23, AAFA sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, requesting the opportunity to testify at a May 15 hearing on the Administration's proposed tariffs on U.S. imports from China. In the meantime, we encourage members to share this prepared letter with your elected representatives to express our industry’s opposition to tariffs.
Help celebrate #WorldIPDay: Did you know that across the country, IP supports more than 45 million U.S. jobs – roughly 30 percent of America’s workforce? We invite you to take part in celebrating #WorldIPDay this Thursday April 26, in coordination with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and World Intellectual Property Organization.
See all of AAFA’s latest letters, comments, and testimony here.
Congress and government agencies solicit comments on a range of issues that may affect your business – find a list of comment opportunities here.
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Member Welcome: Wasserman & Associates
 Wasserman & Associates specializes at the intersection of PR and Government Relations, with a focus on global government affairs and international legal. With experience in law, political, regulatory, government relations, quantitative analysis, and economic data generation – to name a few – learn more about how they can support you in Washington.
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April & May
May 10 Webinar: Children's Safety - Evaluating Potential Hazards
May 17 Webinar: Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility
May 23 Webinar: Addressing Forced Labor Risks
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Book travel early for August in Seattle!
Hosted at the Nordstrom Corporate Headquarters
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Trade
