North Charlotte Today

In a recent letter, Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Miller to take action against Chinese companies that may be evading U.S. laws against forced labor and causing harm to American jobs. The senators have called for increased oversight and enforcement provisions in trade agreements with Central American and North American trading partners to address this pressing issue.

The senators highlight the significant impact of trade enforcement on the livelihoods of Americans and their partners in Central America. They express concern over recent reports of textile and apparel mill closures in the United States, which they attribute to the lack of effective customs enforcement. The senators emphasize that this issue is particularly relevant to the U.S. textile and apparel industry, which has been affected by declining demand.

The senators specifically mention the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as trade agreements that need stronger enforcement provisions. They emphasize the importance of these agreements in supporting the U.S. textile and apparel industry, as well as the cut and sew industry in Central America. The senators stress that these agreements have facilitated the development of a robust and integrated regional textiles and apparel supply chain, benefiting both the United States and its regional partners.

Given the challenges faced by the U.S. textile and apparel industry, including inflationary pressure, supply chain disruptions, and unfair competition from products made with forced labor, the senators call on CBP to prioritize textile enforcement related to CAFTA-DR and USMCA in the coming year. They request a written confirmation of CBP's intent to address this issue.

This letter highlights the senators' determination to protect American jobs and ensure that trade agreements are effectively enforced. By urging CBP to take action against imports of clothing made with forced labor, they aim to safeguard the U.S. textile and apparel industry and maintain the integrity of trade agreements with Central American and North American trading partners.

To read the full letter, click HERE.

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Click this link to access more information: https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2023/11/tillis-colleagues-urge-cbp-to-stop-imports-of-clothing-made-with-forced-labor