More Bahrain Short Supply Comments Filed

As Agathon Associates reported last week, the U.S. textile industry has weighed in with opposition to the short supply requests from Bahrain. Most recently, the National Council of Textile Organizations and the American Fiber Manufacturers Association submitted comments in opposition. To view all the comments submitted CLICK HERE.

Comments Due Today on Bahrain Short Supply Request

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Bahrain, submitted on March 23, 2017, to initiate consultations under Article 3.2.3 of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. The Government of Bahrain is requesting that the United States and Bahrain ("the Parties") consider revising the rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel to address availability of supply of certain knit and woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The list of fabrics includes many woven and knitted fabrics readily available from manufacturers in the U.S.

COMMENTS ARE DUE TODAY.

As of 11:00 today, eight sets of opposition comments had been filed by:

1. Agathon Associates, May 31, 2017
2. Darlington Fabrics June 12, 2017
3. Mount Vernon Mills June 22, 2017
4. Elastic Fabrics of America July 13, 2017
5. Milliken & Company July 17, 2017
6. Burlington July 20, 2017
7. Hornwood, Inc. July 20, 2017
8. Inman Mills July 20, 2017

Bahrain Requests Short Supply for Dozens of Fabrics. Comments Due July 21st

Since August 2006 Bahrain has been able to ship apparel and home textiles to the U.S. duty-free under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. In 2016, according to TRADE DATA FROM OTEXA, Bahrain shipped about 70 million square meters of textile products to the U.S. almost all of which was exempted from the general yarn forward rule under a generous tariff preference level ("TPL") provision. That provision has now expired and Bahrain is seeking short supply status from a wide variety of fabrics.

U.S. textile producers of the fabrics listed below need to let the U.S.g government know that they oppose adding such fabrics to the Bahrain FTA short supply list. Agathon Associates can assist you in filing objections. Call David Trumbull at 617-285-6004.

On May 22, 2017, the Committee for the Implementation of Textiles Agreements published in the Federal Register (82 FR 23204) Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request Under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Bahrain, submitted on March 23, 2017, to initiate consultations under Article 3.2.3 of the USBFTA. The Government of Bahrain is requesting that the United States and Bahrain ("the Parties") consider revising the rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel to address availability of supply of certain knit and woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USBFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Bahrain on a modification under Article 3.2.5 of the USBFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain knit and woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Comments must be submitted by July 21, 2017.

The fabrics subject to this request, according to the fabric number in the request and organized by specific apparel end-use, are:

Knit apparel classified in chapter 61 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS):

Fabric 26: Knit pile, looped fabric, 90% polyester and 10% elastomeric suede, yarn count: Brushed P105xP50D+SP40D, weight 300 grams per meter squared (g/m2), width CW57'', classified in subheading 6001.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 27: Knit fabric of polyester (85-97%) and elastomeric (5-15%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 28: Knit fabric of polyester (45-60%), cotton (35-50%) and elastomeric (5-12%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 29: Knit fabric of rayon (59-75%), nylon (20-37%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 6006.42 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 35: Knit fabric of polyester (68-78%), rayon (19-29%), and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 6006.32 of the HTSUS.

Woven apparel classified in chapter 62 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 15: Bleached or dyed satin weave or twill weave fabric of at least 60% lyocell and up to 40% nylon, polyester, or elastomeric, that does not meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112 or ASTM 1506 protective standards, classified in heading 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 16: Woven seersucker fabric of cotton, classified in subheadings 5208.42, 5208.52 or 5209.41 of the HTSUS; Fabric 17: Woven fabric of rayon (60-75%), nylon (30-35%), and elastomeric (1-5%), bleached, dyed, printed or of yarns of different colors, weighing 200-350 g/m\2,\ classified in subheadings 5516.91, 5516.92, 5516.93 or 5516.94 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 18: Woven fabric of rayon (50-84%), polyester (6-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 19: Woven fabric of polyester (50-65%), rayon (34-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 20: Woven fabric of polyester (51-65%) and rayon (35-49%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 21: 100% rayon woven fabric, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 22: Woven jacquard fabric of rayon staple fiber, weighing 375 g/m2 or less, classified in subheadings 5516.13 or 5516.23 of the HTSUS.

Men's or boys' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6203 of the HTSUS; and women's or girls' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6204 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 1: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (57-76%), rayon (18-37%), and elastomeric (1-11%), classified in subheading 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 2: Dyed rayon blend herringbone twill fabric of rayon (65-75%) and polyester (25-35%), weighing more than 200 g/m \2\,, classified in subheading 5516.92 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 3: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 4: One-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 5: Woven fabric of polyester (60-90%), rayon (10-40%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheadings 5407.52, 5407.53, 5407.61, 5407.69, 5407.72, 5407.73, 5407.92, 5407.93, 5512.19, 5512.99, 5515.12, and 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 6: Woven indigo dyed fabric of cotton (95-100%) and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5208.39.6090 and 5208.39.8090 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 7: Cotton corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 8: Polyester corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 9: Dyed sateen woven fabric of cotton (93%-100%) and elastomeric (0-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0020 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 10: Dobby weave fabric of cotton (93-99%) and elastomeric (1-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0080 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 11: Dobby weave fabric of 100% cotton, classified in subheading 5209.39 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 12: Woven fabric of spun modal rayon (50-95%), filament polyester (5-48%), and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5516.12, 5516.13, 5516.22 and5 516.23 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 13: Yarn-dyed woven fabric of lyocell staple fiber (55-85%) and cotton (15-45%), classified in subheadings 5516.13 and 5516.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 14: Woven fabric of rayon (67-80%), nylon (15-35%), and elastomeric (2-6%), classified in subheadings 5516.22, 5516.23 and 5516.24 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 23: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (85-98%) and elastomeric (2-15%), classified in subheading 5209.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 24: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (63-73%), polyester (20-30%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 25: Woven twill fabric of cotton (77-87%), polyester (12-22%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 30: Woven twill fabric of viscose rayon (51-61%), cotton (34-44%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 5516.42.0060 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 31: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (47-57%), rayon (36-46%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 32: Woven fabric of cotton (92-100%) and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 5209.31 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 33: Woven sateen fabric of 100% polyester, classified in subheading 5407.69 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 34: Woven twill fabric of polyester (40-50%), viscose rayon (38-48%), linen (3-13%), and elastomeric (0-9%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS.

CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the fabrics described above can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than July 21, 2017.

Agathon Associates Respond to Bahrain Knitted Textiles Short Supply Request

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Bahrain, submitted on March 23, 2017, to initiate consultations under Article 3.2.3 of the USBFTA. The Government of Bahrain is requesting that the United States and Bahrain ("the Parties") consider revising the rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel to address availability of supply of certain knit and woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USBFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Bahrain on a modification under Article 3.2.5 of the USBFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain knit and woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Comments must be submitted by July 21, 2017.

On May 31, 2017, Agathon Associates filed COMMENTS in opposition to the inclusion of fabrics for knitted apparel in the Bahrain FTA short supply list.

Bahrain Requests Short Supply for Dozens of Fabrics. Comments Due July 21st

Since August 2006 Bahrain has been able to ship apparel and home textiles to the U.S. duty-free under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. In 2016, according to TRADE DATA FROM OTEXA, Bahrain shipped about 70 million square meters of textile products to the U.S. almost all of which was exempted from the general yarn forward rule under a generous tariff preference level ("TPL") provision. That provision has now expired and Bahrain is seeking short supply status from a wide variety of fabrics.

U.S. textile producers of the fabrics listed below need to let the U.S. government know that they oppose adding such fabrics to the Bahrain FTA short supply list. Agathon Associates can assist you in filing objections. Call David Trumbull at 617-285-6004.

On May 22, 2017, the Committee for the Implementation of Textiles Agreements published in the Federal Register (82 FR 23204) Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request Under the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Bahrain, submitted on March 23, 2017, to initiate consultations under Article 3.2.3 of the USBFTA. The Government of Bahrain is requesting that the United States and Bahrain ("the Parties") consider revising the rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel to address availability of supply of certain knit and woven fabrics in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USBFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Bahrain on a modification under Article 3.2.5 of the USBFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain knit and woven fabrics can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

Comments must be submitted by July 21, 2017.

The fabrics subject to this request, according to the fabric number in the request and organized by specific apparel end-use, are:

Knit apparel classified in chapter 61 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS):

Fabric 26: Knit pile, looped fabric, 90% polyester and 10% elastomeric suede, yarn count: Brushed P105xP50D+SP40D, weight 300 grams per meter squared (g/m2), width CW57'', classified in subheading 6001.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 27: Knit fabric of polyester (85-97%) and elastomeric (5-15%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 28: Knit fabric of polyester (45-60%), cotton (35-50%) and elastomeric (5-12%), classified in subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 29: Knit fabric of rayon (59-75%), nylon (20-37%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 6006.42 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 35: Knit fabric of polyester (68-78%), rayon (19-29%), and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 6006.32 of the HTSUS.

Woven apparel classified in chapter 62 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 15: Bleached or dyed satin weave or twill weave fabric of at least 60% lyocell and up to 40% nylon, polyester, or elastomeric, that does not meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112 or ASTM 1506 protective standards, classified in heading 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 16: Woven seersucker fabric of cotton, classified in subheadings 5208.42, 5208.52 or 5209.41 of the HTSUS; Fabric 17: Woven fabric of rayon (60-75%), nylon (30-35%), and elastomeric (1-5%), bleached, dyed, printed or of yarns of different colors, weighing 200-350 g/m\2,\ classified in subheadings 5516.91, 5516.92, 5516.93 or 5516.94 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 18: Woven fabric of rayon (50-84%), polyester (6-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 19: Woven fabric of polyester (50-65%), rayon (34-49%), and elastomeric (1-10%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 20: Woven fabric of polyester (51-65%) and rayon (35-49%), weighing less than 225 g/m2, classified in headings 5407, 5512, or 5515 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 21: 100% rayon woven fabric, classified in headings 5408 or 5516 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 22: Woven jacquard fabric of rayon staple fiber, weighing 375 g/m2 or less, classified in subheadings 5516.13 or 5516.23 of the HTSUS.

Men's or boys' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6203 of the HTSUS; and women's or girls' suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), classified in heading 6204 of the HTSUS:

Fabric 1: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (57-76%), rayon (18-37%), and elastomeric (1-11%), classified in subheading 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 2: Dyed rayon blend herringbone twill fabric of rayon (65-75%) and polyester (25-35%), weighing more than 200 g/m \2\,, classified in subheading 5516.92 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 3: Two-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 4: One-way stretch woven fabric of polyester (50-85%), viscose rayon (13-47%), and elastomeric (1-10%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 5: Woven fabric of polyester (60-90%), rayon (10-40%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheadings 5407.52, 5407.53, 5407.61, 5407.69, 5407.72, 5407.73, 5407.92, 5407.93, 5512.19, 5512.99, 5515.12, and 5515.19 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 6: Woven indigo dyed fabric of cotton (95-100%) and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5208.39.6090 and 5208.39.8090 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 7: Cotton corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.22 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 8: Polyester corduroy woven fabric, classified in subheading 5801.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 9: Dyed sateen woven fabric of cotton (93%-100%) and elastomeric (0-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0020 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 10: Dobby weave fabric of cotton (93-99%) and elastomeric (1-7%), classified in subheading 5209.39.0080 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 11: Dobby weave fabric of 100% cotton, classified in subheading 5209.39 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 12: Woven fabric of spun modal rayon (50-95%), filament polyester (5-48%), and elastomeric (0-5%), classified in subheadings 5516.12, 5516.13, 5516.22 and5 516.23 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 13: Yarn-dyed woven fabric of lyocell staple fiber (55-85%) and cotton (15-45%), classified in subheadings 5516.13 and 5516.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 14: Woven fabric of rayon (67-80%), nylon (15-35%), and elastomeric (2-6%), classified in subheadings 5516.22, 5516.23 and 5516.24 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 23: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (85-98%) and elastomeric (2-15%), classified in subheading 5209.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 24: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (63-73%), polyester (20-30%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 25: Woven twill fabric of cotton (77-87%), polyester (12-22%), and elastomeric (0-6%), classified in subheading 5211.43 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 30: Woven twill fabric of viscose rayon (51-61%), cotton (34-44%), and elastomeric (0-10%), classified in subheading 5516.42.0060 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 31: Two-way stretch woven twill fabric of cotton (47-57%), rayon (36-46%), and elastomeric (2-12%), classified in subheading 5211.32 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 32: Woven fabric of cotton (92-100%) and elastomeric (0-8%), classified in subheading 5209.31 of the HTSUS;

Fabric 33: Woven sateen fabric of 100% polyester, classified in subheading 5407.69 of the HTSUS; and

Fabric 34: Woven twill fabric of polyester (40-50%), viscose rayon (38-48%), linen (3-13%), and elastomeric (0-9%), classified in subheading 5515.11 of the HTSUS.

CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the fabrics described above can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than July 21, 2017.

United States Seeks to Protect Worker Rights under U.S.-Bahrain Trade Agreement

Acting United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris announced today that the United States has requested consultations with the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the Labor Chapter of the United States–Bahrain Free Trade Agreement ("FTA"). The request follows a December 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Labor that highlighted labor issues stemming from the Government of Bahrain’s response to civil unrest in early 2011 in Bahrain and recommended actions to address those issues.

The United States is seeking consultations to discuss actions taken by Bahrain that appear to be inconsistent with the Labor Chapter of the FTA. Specifically, the Labor Department’s report details the apparent targeting of trade unionists and leaders for firing after a general strike in March 2011, employment discrimination based on religious (sectarian) identity or political opinion, and labor laws that do not provide adequate protection on these issues. The report recognizes that the Bahraini government, in particular the Minister of Labor, has taken important steps to address labor concerns following the unrest in 2011 by seeking the reinstatement of fired workers, but finds that problems remain with Bahraini labor laws as well as the treatment of certain reinstated workers.

To view a copy of the letter requesting consultations, click here.

Background

The U.S. Department of Labor issued the report on December 20, 2012, in response to a submission filed by the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations ("AFL-CIO") regarding the Government of Bahrain’s commitments under the Labor Chapter of the United States–Bahrain FTA. The AFL-CIO submission alleged that Bahrain had acted inconsistently with its labor obligations under the FTA in its response to civil unrest and national strikes in early 2011. The Labor Department’s report found that although the Government of Bahrain has taken important steps to address some of the labor issues arising from the 2011 unrest, including actions by the Minister of Labor to seek reinstatement of most of the workers fired, the United States should request FTA labor consultations to develop a plan with Bahrain to address remaining concerns. The FTA Labor Chapter stipulates that consultations shall commence within 30 days of a written request from either Party to the trade agreement, unless both Parties agree otherwise.