Textile groups oppose CAFTA trade pact
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 23, 2004
WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON — Two industry groups are opposing the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, now before Congress.
The American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and the American Textile Manufacturers Institute said the pact would cost U.S. manufacturing jobs and would result in the loss of U.S. market share for domestic producers.
"U.S. trade policy is inherently flawed," said Auggie Tantillo, AMTAC Washington coordinator. "CAFTA replicates the failed policy of negotiating trade deals with countries capable of manufacturing large amounts of consumer goods for the U.S. market but incapable of buying significant numbers of finished U.S. goods in return."
AMTAC, a coalition of textile producers and others, say the move also would increase the trade deficit and encourage illegal transshipping.
One element of the CAFTA deal opposed by AMTAC is an exception that allows Central American countries to manufacture certain products made from non-U.S. components and ship them to the United States duty free in unlimited amounts.
ATMI's board voted unanimously to oppose the trade deal, saying "there is no middle ground."
"The textile portion of this agreement is loaded with side deals that give away U.S. jobs…. This agreement will only contribute to the continuing decline in U.S. manufacturing jobs, particularly those in the textile industry," said Jim Chesnutt, ATMI chairman.
"Defeating CAFTA will be a top priority for the textile industry in 2004," he added. "We will seek alliances with labor, environmental, manufacturing and agricultural groups, and other interested parties in order to make sure this agreement is defeated."
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