Four industry associations urge USTR to adopt a trade incentive program aimed at reshoring manufacturing and creating 56,000 jobs.
Four major U.S. textile and apparel industry groups have jointly proposed a trade incentive program to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to offset tariff costs and bolster domestic production. The plan, presented ahead of Section 301 hearings, offers tariff credits to brands and retailers purchasing Made-in-the-USA textiles and apparel.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), and U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute (USINFI) collaborated on the framework, which aims to stabilize Western Hemisphere supply chains and diversify sourcing. The groups estimate the initiative could create 56,000 new jobs in the U.S.
The proposal comes as the USTR holds hearings on forced labor policies in global supply chains. Industry leaders, including NCTO CEO Kim Glas, will testify in support of the plan, which marks a rare alignment among groups with historically divergent trade policy views.