AAFA Voices Support for United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announces its full support for passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Office of the United States Trade Representative touts the agreement as beneficial for North American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

“Our North American apparel and footwear value chain is an integral component of the future of our industry,” says Rick Helfenbein, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “USMCA provides the stability and predictability that we need for our companies to invest in the region as we grow our footprint.”

Helfenbein points out that more than 200,000 American jobs in the apparel and footwear industry are supported by NAFTA. “We are calling on Congress to approve the USMCA this year and for the Administration to quickly and seamlessly implement it,” he adds.

The AAFA has frequently voiced its support for USMCA negotiations, and calls for the resulting agreement to be trilateral with Mexico and Canada, with no harm to the industry’s supply chains, and to be seamlessly implemented. As such, the AAFA serves as part of the USMCA coalition.

“To meet the needs of today’s retail environment, apparel and footwear companies need to have a diverse supply chain that can meet consumer expectations,” says Tom Glaser, vice president of VF Corporation and AAFA Chairman. “The North American region is a key part of this matrix, and the USMCA will be an important part of its future.”

For more information, visit https://www.aafaglobal.org.