TRAVEL GOODS ASSOCIATION

Trade (domestic/foreign)

Defense (DEF) Comments and discussions on Berry Amendment, Federal Prison Industries (FPI), and Ability One programs. Discussions with Members of Congress, DoD, USTR, TSA, and DHS about implementation of Berry and procurement issues and the following legislation: o National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) o FY 2022 Defense Appropriations bills Discussions with Congress and Administration on government procurement provisions in trade agreements. Discussions with Congress and Administration on government procurement during the COVID-19 crisis. Discussions with the Administration - DLA - on government procurement of PPE product. Miscellaneous Trade (TRD) Discussions with Congress and Administration (including USTR, Treasury, Commerce, ITC, Labor, State, Agriculture, DLA, Customs, FDA, FEMA, and CDC) on the following items: o import of personal protective equipment (PPE). o tariff relief for PPE product. o bilateral China trade issues, including WTO compliance and the Section 301 investigation and Section 232 investigations. o Western Hemisphere issues, including CAFTA-DR and Haiti. o implementation of existing and negotiation of new free trade agreements (FTAs). Issues discussed include: -Rules of origin -Duties -Customs provisions -IPR provisions -Labor provisions -Regulatory harmonization -Transportation measures -Government procurement. -Port maintenance issues -Trade deficits and global value chains. Tariffs and proposed bills to regulate tariff policy, including: -Trade Security Act of 2021 (S. 746). -U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, (S. 1260). -The America Competes Act Of 2022 (H.R. 4521) -Import Security and Fairness Act (H.R. 6412) -Trade Act of 2021. o New and existing trade preference programs, including: - the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), including Ethiopia. - the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), including country and product review and legislation to update the program. o Various trade and customs initiatives (such as First Sale, 9802, de minimis, 321/FTZs, duty drawback, single window/ITDS, changes to ACE, and pending classifications, rulings, and regulations) covering textiles, apparel, footwear, and travel goods. o Foreign trade barriers and practices (including comments for annual NTE and Special 301 and notorious markets reports). o Pending nominations. o Legislation related to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Program: -Earth Act (H.R. 219). o Current and proposed sanctions, including: - North Korea sanctions (CAATSA). - Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R. 1155/S. 65). - Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act (H.R. 2072). o Country of Origin Labeling Online Act Conversations with Congress, ITC, Commerce, and USTR on MTB process and individual petitions. Transportation Discussions with Congress and Administration on shipping delays. Discussions with Congress and Administration on Hours of Service (HoS) and other driver-related rules. Discussions with Congress and key agencies on port metrics. Discussions with Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and Congress on shipping delays, ocean carrier / port terminal issues, including congestion surcharges, demurrage charges, and PierPass. Discussions with Congress and the Administration on comprehensive infrastructure funding and repair. Specific legislation on key transportation issues impacting the industry:  DRIVE Safe Act (H.R.1745, S.659) Ocean Shipping Reform Act (H.R.4996 /S. 3580) Product Safety (CSP) Discussions with Administration, including CPSC, Commerce, USTR, and EPA, and various Congressional offices on: implementation of Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). regulations involving flammability, sleepwear, and drawstring hazards. Regulations involving Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances possible modifications to flammability requirements to add spandex to the exempt fibers list. implementation of previously implemented legislation to reduce third party testing burdens and costs. monitoring issues relating to apparel, footwear, and travel goods/fashion accessories safety and product labeling. implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, including foreign chemical management initiatives that function as non-tariff barriers. Pending nominations. annual CPSC budget (including increased funding), resource allocation, and priorities testimony. Link between counterfeit products and unsafe products. Digitization of apparel labeling as it relates to product safety information. Labor Discussion of WRAP program and with various legislative branch and executive branch officials. Discussions with Congress and Administration (including Labor, State, USTR, USAID, DFC, and CBP) to ensure effective implementation of and action on: o Child/Forced labor rules and lists, o Impact of COVID-19 on supply chain workers, o Uzbek cotton, o Better Work programs, o China Xinjiang, o Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, and o FTA and trade preference labor cases. o Implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R. 1155/S. 65). Small Business Discussions with Congress and Administration impact of shipping delays on small business. Discussion with the Federal Reserve, Small Business Administration (SBA), the Treasury Department, and Congress on Trade Credit Insurance, paycheck protection program, and the main street lending program. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) PPE Extension Act of 2021 (H.R. 1799/S. 723/S. 815) Other possible stimulus legislation. Discussions with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on digitizing apparel labels as well as on textile, wool, fur, and care labeling rules, and other labeling rules, including Made in USA labeling. Discussions with the Administration and Congress on FPI reform and impact on small business. IPR Discussions with Congress and Administration on: o Intellectual property practices on e-commerce platforms. o Fraudulent advertising on social media platforms. Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 o Fraudulent trademark filings at the USPTO and abroad. o USTR Special 301 Report and Notorious Markets Report List. o Dupe influencers on social media. o Counterfeits and resale. o Consumer awareness campaign on counterfeits. o Dangers of counterfeits to U.S. businesses, workers and jobs. o Legislation and/or regulations to create secondary liability structure for online platforms. o INFORM Consumers Act (S. 936/H.R. 5502). o SHOP SAFE Act of 2021 (H.R. 3429/S. 1843). o The America Competes Act Of 2022 (H.R. 4521) o 19 CFR 133.21 Identification of Counterfeits at U.S. ports Environment o Discussions with Congress and Administration on issues as it relates to sustainability, climate and environment