Ongoing crisis to damage textile trade – US textile groups

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Nat'l Textile Association - US State Dept.

Ongoing crisis to damage textile trade – US textile groups
October 29, 2009 (Honduras)

Eight Textile and Apparel Groups write to Sec. Clinton urging action on Honduran Trade Disruption. One month ago, we wrote to you regarding the impact that the continuing crisis in Honduras was having on fiber, textile and apparel jobs in the United States, Honduras and around the CAFTA region. We asked that the United States government “take public steps to ensure that commercial ties are not interrupted” and that crisis be resolved through “normal diplomatic means.” As primary stakeholders in the fiber, textile, apparel, import and retail chain which is responsible for billions of dollars in annual trade with Honduras and the larger CAFTA region, we would like to update you on what has occurred during the last thirty days.

While commercial traffic has been restored through the port of Puerto Cortes, textile and apparel trade in and out of Honduras has continued to fall as the political situation in Honduras remains unresolved. Imports of textiles and apparel from Honduras fell by 38 percent in June, July and August with preliminary numbers from September showing a 39 percent drop. Moreover, exports of textile products from the United States, which are leading indicator, continue to be sharply depressed with exports down by 38 percent during the last three months, a total of $165 million.

We are increasingly concerned that with the continued uncertainty regarding the political situation that the U.S.–Honduran textile complex - one of the most vibrant in the Western Hemisphere - is in danger of being permanently damaged. Our members report that credit, insurance and other financing costs associated with moving goods into and out of Honduras are now at record levels as the financial sector has lost confidence that the crisis will be resolved soon. In particular, the United States government’s position of refusing to recognize future election results even if the elections are conducted in a free and open manner appears to have sent an unfortunate message that Honduras could be reduced to a pariah state for an indefinite period.

The costs of the continuing uncertainty are the continuing loss of textile jobs in the United States and of apparel jobs in Honduras. Damage is increasing to a fiber to retail chain that has been an essential stabilizing factor in the CAFTA region. While factories can be closed or run on short orders for weeks, they cannot do so for months on end. The end result is increased plant closures, job losses and the crippling of a once booming trade sector. We again urge you to consider the critical impact that U.S. government actions have on the livelihoods of tens of thousands of textile and apparel workers in the United States and in Honduras.





Read more: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/association-news/national-textile-association/newsdetails.aspx?News_id=78567

[Sonicmedusa]

1. There are are still textile workers in the US? N/T

[Doremus]

2. Let's get this straight. You take our jobs to a developing country and want OUR $$$ to protect you?

How can I put this delicately?


FUCK YOU.

[Tansy_Gold]

3. Isn't this kinda like the Indian government demanding we issue

more H-1B visas to employ more of their people so our people can go scratch?

The US has all the resources for a healthy manufacturing economy. Maybe this will bring some of it back. And maybe it will allow Honduras and the other nations in CAFTA to develop their OWN economies, instead of catering to the multinational greed merchants draining both of us. After all, if they're exporting apparel to the US (and we all know they are every time we look at the labels), then they have the equipment and the expertise to manufacture for their own market.

But I guess those basics of ECON 101 get lost on too many people.



TG

[Demeter]

4. Not Just "No", HELL, NO!

If you want security, build in US.

[amandabeech]

5. I've been expecting something like this, but I thought that the problem would arise in Mexico.

As Demeter said above, don't expect the U.S. to help you out if you locate your business outside the U.S.

Contrary to some opinion, the U.S. is only responsible for conditions inside the U.S.

If your business requires a stable political situation, then locate in one--like the United States.