NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas has hailed the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed comprehensive textile enforcement plan, following a meeting with industry leaders. The plan aims to address mounting concerns over the textile and apparel sector, including calls for stricter enforcement and penalties, and the closure of the de minimis loophole.
Glas emphasized the severity of the situation, noting the loss of eight plants in just three months—a toll compounded by demand erosion and unfair trade practices. The industry's resilience, tested through historic crises like the Great Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic, is now under threat.
During the meeting, industry representatives highlighted three key priorities for Secretary Mayorkas:
Increasing enforcement and penalties under existing free trade agreements (FTAs).
Strengthening enforcement and penalties under the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Act (UFLPA).
Closing the de minimis loophole, which allows millions of unchecked packages to enter the market, undercutting domestic producers.
Mayorkas pledged to collaborate with NCTO and industry stakeholders to develop a 30-day action plan for immediate textile enforcement. Glas expressed optimism about the forthcoming collaboration, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the industry's future.
The engagement between the DHS and textile industry signals a concerted effort to protect this critical supply chain and support domestic workers.
