U.S Textile Sector Calls for Enactment of DR-CAFTA

Broad Coalition Says Pact Needed to Meet Global Competition

WASHINGTON, DC - A nationwide coalition of trade associations representing a broad spectrum of the U.S. textile industry and its suppliers today announced its strong support for the Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). The coalition includes fiber and textile production, processing and handling plus textile machinery manufacturers and other product and service suppliers to the textile industry.

The pro DR-CAFTA coalition of associations represents more than $100 billion in annual U.S. textile sector production and sales, including:

• the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is the largest U.S. industry textile trade association representing the entire spectrum of the textile sector. From fibers to finished products, from machinery to power suppliers, NCTO is the voice of the U.S. textile industry.

• the National Cotton Council (NCC), the central organization of the U.S. cotton industry, whose membership comprises three-fourths of all production, processing and handling of cotton by producers, ginners, seed handlers, warehousers, marketing cooperatives, merchants and textile manufacturers

• the American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA), with membership accounting for more than 90 percent of the manufactured fiber produced and sold in the United States

• the American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA), founded in 1933, is the only U.S. trade association devoted solely to the advancement of manufacturers of textile machinery, parts and accessories. Its members annually manufacture the majority of textile machinery made in the United States.

• the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the national organization representing the U.S. carpet and rug industry whose membership include more than 95 percent of all carpet made domestically as well as suppliers of raw materials to the industry

• INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is the national association representing every major U.S. manufacturer of nonwoven fabrics.

The coalition urges the U.S. Congress to endorse DR-CAFTA without delay, to make available its broad array of export benefits for the American textile sector as soon as possible. The resulting export markets in the region for U.S. products will extend well beyond the limited reach of the current one-way preferential trade arrangement in the Caribbean region. DR-CAFTA will bring new export opportunities to every U.S. producer interested in these markets.

The coalition remains concerned about several troublesome provisions in the agreement, and expresses its appreciation for the Administration's commitment to use the available authorities to limit any damage to American companies and workers.

Contact information for coalition members:

National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO):

Cass Johnson (202) 756-1422 or Missy Branson (202) 756-1440

National Cotton Council (NCC):

Marjory Walker/Cotton Nelson (901) 274-9030

American Fiber Manufacturers Association (AFMA):

Paul T. O'Day/ Diane DeZan (703) 875 0432

American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA):

Harry W. Buzzerd, Jr., (703) 538-1784

Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI):

James Beach (706) 428-2116

INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry:

Peter Mayberry (703) 538-8805