AAFA Weekly Brief
May 8, 2018

Newsletter at-a-glance

Along with industry news highlights across Supply Chain, Trade, and Brand Protection, this week we call your attention to our upcoming member-only webinar covering important changes to California's Prop 65 - details under AAFA Events.
 
Trade
May 7: ... Mnuchin’s delegation wrapped up two days of talks with Chinese economic officials on Friday with only an agreement to keep talking. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese goods, duties that can be imposed after a public comment period ends May 22. (Source: Bloomberg)
 
May 7: ... With time fast running out to strike some kind of deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the three member nations are still far apart on major points. (Source: Reuters)
 
May 4: ... We are told that Star Wars takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the lessons it holds for us on trade, make it very contemporary and very proximate.  (Source: Apparel Magazine, op-ed from AAFA's Steve Lamar)
 
Naylor Association Solutions
Supply Chain
May 4: Most major retailers are adopting scan-and-go options, but just walk out technology, facial recognition and personalization are all likely to guide the future of the tech. (Source: Supply Chain Dive)
 
May 2: ... the Army has just about a year and a half left of wear for the Universal Camouflage Pattern, which was replaced by the green and brown blotches of the Operational Camouflage Uniform back in 2015. So what to do with all of that UCP gear? (Source: Army Times)
 
May 1: ... Until last year, the scraps that spill out into wire baskets were repurposed into stuffing for furniture or hauled off to a landfill. ... Now they’re chemically reduced to cellulose, which is mixed with wood fibers and spun into a textile called Refibra that’s used in more than a dozen items such as T-shirts, trousers, and tops. (Source: Bloomberg)
 
Brand Protection
May 7: ... Since its launch in early 2017 with a total of 30 signatory brands, ranging from Swarovski to Samsung, the [Alibaba Anti-Counterfeiting Alliance] has found itself quite a few more friends. (Source: The Fashion Law)
 
May issue: ... The growth of e-commerce has connected consumers across the world to brands, platforms, marketplaces, and other consumers. But, at the same time, the rise of e-commerce has also connected consumers with an ever-growing global network of criminal counterfeiters. (Source: Fashion Mannuscript, op-ed by AAFA's Christina Mitropoulos)
 
Naylor Association Solutions
Naylor Association Solutions
AAFA News

Tariff testimony next week: Next week, AAFA President and CEO Rick Helfenbein intends to testify at a hearing on the Administration's proposed tariffs on U.S. imports from China. Stay tuned for coverage of his comments expressing opposition to such tariffs and why this issue is so pressing for our industry. In the meantime, we encourage members to share this prepared letter with your elected representatives.

Support for extension of TPA: In response to President Trump’s request for a three-year extension of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), AAFA submitted these comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on May 2. The comments strongly support the extension of TPA as a critical tool that supports continued U.S. engagement in forging trade agreements that knock down barriers at home and abroad.

Berry Amendment protections & new GCC liaison: On May 4, AAFA joined with more than 30 other associations and organizations in expressing concerns to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on proposals related to the Berry Amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Access this letter for more information, or ask about how to take part in AAFA’s Government Contracts Committee (GCC). AAFA’s Christina Mitropoulos is now the official GCC liaison and can be contacted with questions.

A glimpse into AAFA's 40th annual American Image Awards:
 
 

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.
 
AAFA Events
May & June
May 10 Webinar: Children's Safety - Evaluating Potential Hazards
May 17 Webinar: Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility
May 23 Webinar: Addressing Forced Labor Risks
May 31 Product Safety Seminar
June 7 Member-Only Webinar: Preparing for Changes to California Prop 65 
 
Visit our events calendar for all AAFA webinars and industry events.



Member-Only Webinar:




 
 

 

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