The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO, Kim Glas, has praised the introduction of the bipartisan "Fighting for America Act," a bill aimed at eliminating De Minimis exemptions for import-sensitive products, particularly textiles and apparel.
The legislation, spearheaded by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), seeks to tighten regulations on millions of low-value, duty-free shipments entering the US daily. The NCTO believes this measure will help level the playing field for domestic manufacturers who have been severely impacted by the influx of such imports.
Glas highlighted that the bill specifically targets textile and apparel imports, especially those from China, which have been taking advantage of the De Minimis loophole. The growth of e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu has exacerbated this issue, flooding the US market with low-cost, often illegal imports that threaten domestic production and consumer safety.
The proposed legislation includes provisions to impose new penalties, require additional data reporting, and introduce small customs fees on De Minimis packages. Glas expressed confidence that the bill would protect the US textile industry, which employs over 501,000 workers and generates $64.8 billion in annual output.
Glas emphasized that this comprehensive approach is essential for protecting the domestic manufacturing supply chain.