Commerce Secretary Don Evans Announces Textile Working Group

Cordova, NC - Today U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced the formation of an interagency textile working group. The Secretary was attending a meeting with Representative Robin Hayes, Governor Mike Easley and textile industry representatives at Burlington Industries. The Secretary will join Representative Myrick at a meeting with textile industry leaders in Belmont, N.C.

"I am pleased to announce today that we are forming an interagency textile working group to make sure that we follow up on the commitments we agreed to in advance of the TPA vote," Evans said.

The Working Group will have several subgroups covering issues including trade agreement negotiating objectives, compliance and enforcement, implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, tariff preference programs, export expansion for textiles and apparel, transshipment and trade adjustment assistance.negotiating objectives, compliance and enforcement, agreement implementation, and tariff preference outreach.

"Both the President and I are committed to doing what it takes to ensure that this industry can compete in world markets," Evans said. "That is exactly what textile state representatives asked of us in advance of the vote this past December, and this Administration will work to ensure that we accomplish that goal."

Prior to the U.S. House vote on Trade Promotion Authority in December, Evans outlined steps the Administration would take to ensure that our textile industry can compete in global markets.