AAFA calls for retroactive renewal of essential trade programs

Congressional inaction undermines the critical stimulus measures passed today.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association expressed disappointment and regret at inaction by Congress, leading to a lapse in two critical trade preference programs — the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) — imposing a tax increase on American workers, American consumers, and American businesses at a time when they can least afford it.

"Today, Congress allowed the GSP and MTB programs, initiatives that have been supported for decades by overwhelming bipartisan majorities, to lapse. The cessation of these programs benefits no one but hurts many, at a time when they can least afford it," said AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar.

“On a day when Congress passed much needed COVID relief, today’s inaction on these two critical bills will lead to tariff increases — in other words, tax increases — for the holidays on American workers, American consumers, American businesses, and the U.S. economy.

"AAFA urges the 117th Congress to swiftly reauthorize, and retroactively renew, both programs to minimize the damage as much as possible.”

AAFA has been a staunch proponent of both bills, most recently calling for renewal of the programs in letters to Congress on December 1 and December 4.