On June 22, 2011, Senator Daniel K. Inouye [Dem-Hawaii] introduced the `Save Our Industries Act of 2011' (S.1244) to provide duty-free entry for certain apparel assembled in the Philippines. An identical bill (H.R.2387) was introduced in the House by Representative Jim McDermott [Dem, Wash.] on June 24th.
The National Textile Association is strongly opposed to this proposal due to the "single transformation" rule that would apply to about 170 different classifications of apparel. Single transformation means that apparel assembled in the Philippines would enter the U.S. duty-free without regard to the source of the fabric or yarn in the garments.
"We do not believe that there is any category of apparel for which there are no domestic U.S. suppliers of fabric," said David Trumbull, NTA's vice president for international trade, "we must oppose any Philippine bill that has a single transformation component."
National Textile Association
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