Newsletter at-a-glance
Today begins Day Two of the administration's public hearings regarding its proposal to add tariffs to $200 billion worth of U.S. imports from China. Learn more about AAFA's testimony under AAFA News.
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August 21: Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo returns to Washington today for more talks with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as the buzz continues to build that the two could reach a preliminary agreement on bilateral issues this week. ( Source: Politico)
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August 20: ... Stephen Lamar of the American Apparel & Footwear Association spoke on the first panel Monday, warning against the additional tax that U.S. member companies such as those importing diaper bags, fabric and fasteners will face on top of duties they already pay. (Source: Bloomberg)
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August 17: Rick Helfenbein, American Apparel and Footwear Association president and CEO, discusses the state of the retail sector as companies report good quarterly earnings. ( Source: CNBC)
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August 20: How are electronics and software transforming the humble shoe into a sophisticated monitoring device? ( Source: Electronic Design)
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August 20: ... "The things we don't know," [ecologist Chelsea Rochman] says, are daunting. "What are all the sources where it's coming from, so that we can think about where to turn it off? And once it gets in the ocean, where does it go? Which is super-important because then we can understand how it impacts wildlife and humans." ( Source: NPR)
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August 20: ... The trial period will run until September 2018 to determine if the two-piece variant will support all of the requirements for operational units. ( Source: Military.com)
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August 20: ... How California may lose its high-tech dominance comes down to two factors: high taxes and rampant Chinese intellectual property theft. ( Source: Forbes)
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August 16: ... The goods were part of a scheme originating in China that stretched to warehouses in Queens and even to retailers in Illinois and California, officials from Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of the United States Customs and Immigration Enforcement agency, announced at a news conference in New York on Thursday. (Source: New York Times)
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August 15: Pink Floyd is asking a judge to help them put a stop to the sale of counterfeit memorabilia from Chinese manufacturers on the Internet and they want websites like Alibaba, Facebook and Google to help them out. ( Source: The Blast)
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AAFA testifies as tariff hearings commence: On Monday, AAFA testified as part of the first of 46 panels to take place as part of the administration's consideration of hitting $200 billion worth of U.S. imports from China with additional tariffs. This list includes ALL travel goods (e.g., hand bags, backpacks, purses, luggage, wallets), ALL hats, ALL textiles; and select specialty apparel, accessories, components, machines, and other equipment. The additional tariffs could increase rates by as much as 25%.
Hear from AAFA's Steve Lamar outside the U.S. International Trade Commission
following his testimony on behalf of the apparel and footwear industry. Watch here.
Hearings regarding the $200 billion list are scheduled to be completed on Monday, August 27, but there is still time to submit written testimony which is due Thursday, September 6. AAFA strongly encourages members to consider submitting testimony. Questions? Reach out to Steve Lamar or Nate Herman. Members can also reach out to Steve and Nate to provide information to support AAFA's submission.
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AAFA President and CEO Rick Helfenbein on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Friday August 17. Watch here.
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AAFA’s Rick Helfenbein Fox Business – Countdown to the Closing Bell last week. Watch here.
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USTR launches Notorious Markets process: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opened the comment period for the 2018 Notorious Markets List with a federal register notice on August 16. The Notorious Markets List identifies foreign online and physical markets that facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy. AAFA members are encouraged to share input on markets that fit this description, along with supporting information, to Christina Mitropoulos by September 24.
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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August & September
August 22 Webinar: Managing Transportation Risks
September 6 Webinar: Removing Dangerous Chemicals from the Supply Chain
September 12Webinar: Microfiber Discharge – What should you do?
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Trade
