American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Steve Lamar welcomed the passage of legislation by the US Senate that would extend the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) . The program provides textile and apparel trade preferences to Caribbean countries; however, it is currently scheduled to expire today. The bill would extend the program to 30 September 2030.

AAFA is a strong supporter CBTPA and has been calling for the renewal of the program for some time. In April, AAFA sent a letter to Congress emphasizing the importance of the program. On 28 August, AAFA led a group of associations in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, calling for him to convey support for the program in conversations with Congress. Today’s action followed a similar letter by that group of associations to every Senator urging CBTPA’s speedy renewal.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Representing more than 1000 world famous name brands, AAFA is a trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its nearly four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of more than $400 billion in annual U.S. retail sales.