Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Trade Relief for Textiles Imported from Some of the World’s Poorest Nations

Measure would provide duty free status for textiles and imported apparel from 14 Least Developed Countries, as defined by the United Nations

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kit Bond (R-Mo.) have introduced a measure to provide trade relief for apparel and textiles imported from 14 of the world’s poorest nations. The legislation is intended to help some of these impoverished nations sustain vital export industries and promote economic growth and political stability.

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Specifically, the bill would provide duty free status to textiles and apparels imported from 14 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), as defined by the United Nations and the U.S. State Department. These impoverished nations are not covered by any current U.S. trade preference program, and currently face some of the steepest U.S. import tariffs, averaging over 15 percent.

The 14 beneficiary countries designated by this bill include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Sri Lanka Solomon Islands, East Timor, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Yemen. The impact on the United States will be minimal. Beneficiary countries under this bill account for only 4 percent of the U.S. textile and apparel market.

“This legislation would help to create more jobs, raise living standards, and promote economic and political stability in some of the world’s poorest countries,” Senator Feinstein said. “Currently, these 14 nations face some of the highest U.S. tariffs in the world, averaging over 15 percent. This bill would help correct this trade inequality and help promote greater economic opportunity where it is most needed – at little cost to U.S. manufacturers.”

“This bill will help create jobs, alternatives to extremism, and political stability in some of the world’s poorest countries,” said Bond. “The war against terrorism will not be won with military might alone, we also need to deploy ‘smart power’ efforts and this bipartisan bill is a good step.”

Source: Senator Dianne Feinstein