U.S. Commerce Dept. Marshals Resources
Of U.S. Energy Dept. Researchers To Help Protect Textile Industry

The U.S. Commerce Department, as part of its long-term, on-going effort to address trade challenges facing the U.S. textile industry, today secured the expertise of the Energy Department’s Oak Ridge research facility to help fight fraudulent foreign trading practices that harm the U.S. industry.

U.S. apparel import preference programs require the use of U.S. fabrics and yarns. However, the origin of fabrics and yarns is difficult to determine, compromising enforcement of these programs. Today’s agreement sets Oak Ridge researchers in motion to assess technologies that could be brought to bear to create a cost-effective textile “marker system” that would be practical for use by U.S. textile manufacturers and the Customs Service (which is responsible for enforcing the textile and apparel preference laws). Private industry will be consulted as part of the project, which has been put on a fast track, with findings expected within 30 days.

Last January, Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced the formation of an interagency Textile Working Group. Since then, the group has focused on a variety of issues affecting American textile companies and workers, including implementation of textile agreements, export expansion for textiles and apparel, tariff preference programs, transshipment, trade adjustment assistance, negotiating objectives, and compliance and enforcement.

“America’s textile workers deserve a level playing field, and this project is aimed at ensuring just that,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans. “We’re bringing in the best and brightest in technology research and development to help us crack down on cheaters and make sure the laws on the books are enforced.”

Evans and other senior trade officials have traveled to textile country frequently over the past year and a half to discuss this and other challenges facing the textile industry with workers and industry leaders.