Western Hemisphere Textile and Apparel Trade Topics Richard Stetson Maria Dybczak

1. Western Hemisphere Textile and Apparel Trade Topics Richard Stetson Maria Dybczak Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) U.S. Department of Commerce October 23, 2012 Alston & Bird LLP

2. Who we are… Office of Textiles and Apparel

3. Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) Develops programs and strategies to improve the competitiveness of the U.S. textile, apparel, footwear, and travel goods industries: • Compile industry data • Research and analysis • Assist in trade negotiations • Execute U.S. textile and apparel trade policy • Help U.S. textile and apparel manufacturers with exports Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA)

4. The President announced the National Export Initiative (NEI) in his 2010 State of the Union address • Goal is to Double U.S. exports in five years Textiles and Apparel - • World - 35% increase – 2009 >2011 • Western Hemisphere – 37% increase – 2009 >2011

5. 2011 U.S. exports of textiles and apparel

6. U.S. Imports of Textiles and Apparel Millions $ CBTPA/ATPDEA global quotas end (WTO) Global economic slowdown Year

7. 2012 Western Hemisphere topics • Elastomeric (spandex) provision • Panama FTA, October 31, 2012 • Nicaragua TPL - expires December 31, 2014 • Mexico - NAFTA verification audits

8. CAFTA- DR Cumulation • Woven apparel • Assembly in Central America - Yarn forward rule of origin with 7 countries (US-CA-MX woven apparel FTA) * thread, narrow elastics, etc apply • D.R. ineligible - March 1, 2012 • Quota : 100 million SME annually • 16% filled YTD • 20 million SME denim annually • 60% filled YTD • Reciprocal More Western Hemisphere Topics

9. CAFTA-DR 'Technical Fixes‘ October 13, 2012 • Women’s and girls’ woven sleep bottoms – cut-and-sew • Filament yarn used as sewing thread (5402) • Sewing thread, pocketing fabrics, visible lining fabrics, narrow elastics eligible for short supply treatment • Open sourcing of elastomeric yarn in fabrics on the short supply list • CBP Guidance (TBT-12-005) More Western Hemisphere Topics

10. Peru and Colombia • Bilateral FTAs: U.S. - Peru; U.S. - Colombia • Yarn forward rule • Short Supply List -18 products • CAFTA-DR Short Supply process (not yet in effect with Colombia) • No more ATPDEA (only Ecuador) • No accumlation among Peru and Colombia (for now…) More Western Hemisphere Topics

11. Accumulation - Peru/Colombia • Article 3.3, 14. Regional Cumulation - In the light of their desire to promote regional integration, the Parties shall enter into discussions, within six months of the date of entry into force of this Agreement, ….. as a step toward achieving regional integration. • Peru/Colombia FTA accumulation? • Andean regional (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador…) accumulation? • Or more countries? • Requires legislation More Western Hemisphere Topics

12. otexa.ita.doc.gov

13. Fibers, yarns, fabrics, buttons, buckles, zippers, ribbons, lining, labels, collars, chemicals, and machinery…for the textile, apparel, footwear, and home goods industries. • Attended by over 16,000 persons, including 8,000 buyers, more than 400 journalists, and 520 exhibitors from 46 countries. • USA ‘SAMPLE’ BOOTH - We market U.S. textile goods

14. Contact: Richard Stetson 202-482-2582 richard.stetson@trade.gov otexa.ita.doc.gov