Canadian, Mexican, and US negotiators should update NAFTA in a way that will continue the current trade and opportunities for businesses, workers and consumers in all three countries.
Today, the NAFTA supply chain is a success story—with significant production and sales in all three countries that create jobs and offer consumers better products at better prices.
The trade agreement remains one of the most important—and most used—free trade agreements for textile and apparel companies as well as retailers and brands. The western hemisphere supply chain is an essential element in global sourcing today. Successful partnerships have been forged over the past 20-plus years that bring together top performers in all three countries.
Industry associations representing apparel brands, retailers, and manufacturers in Canada, Mexico, and the United States came together with a joint statement to the negotiators who are meeting in Ottawa for the third round of talks to update NAFTA.
NAFTA should remain permanent to give companies the predictability to continue to make long-term investments in sourcing and in manufacturing. It also means NAFTA needs to maintain the balance of innovative flexibilities that exist today to support the fashion industry.
By definition, the fashion industry needs flexibility–today’s fashion trends develop with lightning speed and NAFTA allows companies to respond immediately. Proposals to make NAFTA more restrictive would disrupt the supply chain.
