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General Note 3(a) work continues in DC
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Posted on Nov 22 2005
Meetings continued in Washington, D.C. with federal officials on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island’s attempts to bolster its economy through an amendment to General Note (a)(iv)(A) where factories could better compete with better priced Asian apparel destined for the Unites States.
Representing the Office of the Governor, Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s special assistant for trade relations and economic affairs, Richard A. Pierce, met with U.S. congressional members, their legislative directors, trade counsel and economic and policy advisors for discussions on the positive impacts the amendment would provide the CNMI economy.
Meetings from Nov. 14 to 17 were with Rep. Clay Shaw, chairman of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and his director and counsel on Trade; Rep. Ron Lewis and staff; and Sen. Larry E. Craig, who introduced S. 1954, the Insular Possessions Act of 2005 to amend the General Note 3(a), to discuss additional support and attachment of the bill’s language for passage this congressional session.
Additional technical meetings were held with Majority and Minority Trade counsel from the Senate Finance Trade and House Ways and Means Committees, Department of the Interior economic and policy advisors and legislative directors from southern textile states to quantify what the amendment would provide for Saipan factory competitiveness, without negatively impacting U.S. apparel producers.
“There was not one member of Congress, or their legal or technical advisors, that did not react favorably to the CNMI’s compelling economic story. However, mainland politics will dictate any future relief we receive via this amendment to our trade privilege,” according to Pierce.
Information was provided on the CNMI economic condition, most currently affected by the Japan Airlines withdrawal from the CNMI and the elimination of apparel quota restrictions on World Trade Organization members, as they affect the CNMI tourism and garment industries.
Pierce also met with the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s senior vice president, Steve Lamar, who offered his association’s support on the CNMI’s attempt. AAFA counts some Saipan factories as a part of its membership. (PR)
