March 5: US President Donald Trump has announced that he [will end] India's $5.6 billion trade concessions under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme ... The American Apparel and Footwear Association said in a written testimony that if GSP benefits are withdrawn for India as well as Indonesia and Thailand, "companies will have no choice but to return to sourcing from China". (Source: Business Standard - India)

March 4: ... The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) on Monday announced its full support for quick passage by Congress of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). (Source: Sourcing Journal - login required)

March 4: ... “Everybody wants to see this whole tariff debacle go away,” [said Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association]. “Many companies are reducing their exposure to mainland China.” (Source: South China Morning Post)

March 1: ... “As you look at the way these negotiations are shaping up, you must certainly think: not only will it take a while for the talks to reach their full conclusion, but there’s going to be enforcement mechanisms,” said Steve Lamar, executive vice president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. “I would imagine punitive tariffs are going to be with us for a while.” (Source: Reuters)

February 28: ... An increasing number of brands are incorporating sustainability initiatives into their business strategies, but the back end can sometimes be overlooked in favor of more marketable programs. However, as supply chain transparency becomes an expectation, many companies may find themselves left behind by their savvier competitors. (Source: Footwear News)

February 27: ... The open-industry resource is available for all industry professionals and is updated to reflect additions or changes to regulations and laws that restrict or ban certain chemicals in finished products. (Source: just-style - login required)

February 27: ... The Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines will all get the shoes in the coming months. From now on, some 250,000 pairs will be distributed to recruits every year. (Source: Texas Public Radio)

March 1: ... the fact that the FTC brought the case has already sparked speculation that the case sets the precedent that the federal government is now willing to bring charges against companies that pay for fake reviews making misleading claims. (Source: CNBC)

February 28: Amazon.com Inc. is starting to let brand owners delete listings on its site for products they deem fake, marking a sharp shift in its struggle to fight counterfeiters that cedes some of its responsibility to other companies. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

February 27: ... Along with reporting its year-end earnings for the 2018 fiscal year, this particular SEC filing was notable because Amazon officially acknowledged to shareholders that the company’s online sales platforms face the risk of being found liable for fraudulent or unlawful activities of sellers on those platforms. This includes the company’s first-ever concession that Amazon may be unable to prevent sellers trafficking counterfeit and pirated goods. (Source: IP Watchdog)

AAFA urges Congress to pass USMCA: AAFA formally announced its support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with a press release urging Congress to quickly approve and implement the agreement on Monday. AAFA also emphasized the need for a seamless transition from NAFTA, as more than 200,000 American jobs in the apparel and textile industry rely on the agreement.

Modernizing customs for the 21st century: On March 1, AAFA provided testimony during U.S. Customs and Border Protection's 21st Century Customs Framework hearing. AAFA emphasized the need to evolve trade facilitation and enforcement measures to reflect today's global supply chain. AAFA's written submission is available here.

Preventing the sale of counterfeits: On February 27, AAFA testified as part of the Office of the United States Trade Representative's annual Special 301 review to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons and businesses. AAFA's written submission is available here.

AAFA's Christina Mitropoulos discusses the association's brand protection efforts.

AAFA signs letter to President regarding tariffs: On February 27, AAFA signed onto an Americans for Free Trade coalition letter to the President, welcoming his decision to delay the planned tariff hike on U.S. imports from China and emphasizing the need for a deal that removes uncertainty and tariff costs.

Update your AAFA Made in USA directory profile: Do you make products in the USA? Member companies are encouraged to update their profile in AAFA's Made in USA directory. Launched in 2014, the Made in USA directory has become an increasingly important tool as companies look to source more apparel, footwear, and accessories – and the inputs that go into those articles – in the United States. Questions can be directed to AAFA's Steve Lamar and Sarah Vincent.

See all of AAFA’s latest letters, comments, and testimony here.