Us Special Fabric Groups Question Free Trade Agreement Between The US And South Korea

Special fabric manufacturers in the United States have tried to stop the so-called "unfair" US Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS).

For the Industrial Fabrics Association International (International Industrial Textiles Association) and the representative of the United States production of functional textiles or suitable for flame-retardant protective clothing and bulletproof vests, and even airbags and shading structure, etc.

USIFI has also visited a number of US Congressmen, emphasizing the impact of the US trade policy on the special fabric industry and the US manufacturing industry, and expressing that the trade will be victimized by the fact that the trade negotiators are unaware of the reality of the industry.

James Egan, chairman of Graniteville special fabric company, pointed out that in the fair competition environment, the special textile industry in the United States can compete with anyone. As an industry leader, education, communication and struggle are the necessary responsibilities.

The Larry Kissell representative in North Carolina said there was no better brand than the US system, so he would work to combat any trade agreement that would cause us employment opportunities to move out and impede the promotion of the export capacity of the top U.S. products.

He also said that KORUS adopted the same wrong mode as the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In 2010, the global market for special fabrics was estimated at US $123 billion.

But textile companies in the United States worry that once the KORUS comes into effect, Korean products will invade the United States aggressively, replacing the American local products and jeopardize the 40 thousand functional textiles and related industries.

The 3 main concerns of USIFI are:

1. tariff concessions show that most Korean textiles are exported to the US market immediately.

2. the lack of rules and regulations for customs enforcement is likely to encourage serious fraud.

3. the regulations for the production of textile and clothing products will provide some important textile products in mainland China and other countries, and exclude the requirements for the production of the components in the area such as sewing thread, narrow cloth and pocket cloth.

USIFI's worries came from Luo Jiahui, Minister of Commerce and 5 US Congressmen who visited South Korea on 27-29 April this year. He stressed that KORUS will bring positive economic benefits to both countries, and urged South Korea to ratified its implementation as soon as possible.