United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel

January 3, 2012

As chairman of the United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA), I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year.

The past year was a successful year for USA-ITA, filled with numerous accomplishments for our nearly 200 retailer, brand, importer, and service provider members. Thanks to our D.C.-based staff, our expert counsel, and our active board and membership, we have been able to truly make a difference for our industry.

This past year, we’ve taken an active role in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations as part of the TPP Apparel Coalition. USA-ITA leadership and members have joined fellow apparel and retail associations in Ho Chi Minh City, Chicago, and Lima to meet with negotiators and stakeholders. I’m especially proud to have represented USA-ITA and the coalition in Lima in October, where I gave a presentation on how TPP will affect apparel production from design concepts to finished products—emphasizing our reliance on global value chains to produce and to sell. We’re hopeful that we can make the TPP agreement work for our industry, in the United States and throughout the Pacific region.

We’ve also seized upon many opportunities to collaborate with policymakers in Washington, D.C. In addition to voicing our views on TPP to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, we’ve also worked on issues ranging from expanded sourcing opportunities, to textile enforcement strategy, to human rights and sustainability in the supply chain. For me, one highlight was working with the U.S. Department of Commerce and USTR to organize the Sourcing in the Americas Summit at MAGIC in Las Vegas. This “meeting of the minds” brought together brand and retailer sourcing executives, suppliers throughout the Americas, and Obama Administration officials to talk about sourcing in the Western Hemisphere. USA-ITA members and partner associations enjoyed an enlightening lunch with Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and we have plans to continue the conversation with him in 2012, too.

Finally, since moving to Washington in 2010, USA-ITA has increased our advocacy, membership, and communications efforts tenfold. With offices in the heart of Washington, we’re able to meet with policymakers on a regular basis, as well as attend policy events at relevant NGOs and think tanks. In addition, our membership base is stable and growing, and we’re constantly adding member benefits, including enhanced publications, a career center, and social media like Facebook and Twitter so our members can stay informed even while traveling around the world.

Not long ago, USA-ITA led the fight to eliminate the global quota system and to guarantee that safeguard quotas on China would be based on actual imports. USA-ITA listened to the concerns of members, and was ready to take action when needed. As you likely remember, working together made a big difference on this issue—and led to success. We’re taking this same attitude as we approach 2012, and this time next year, I’m certain we’ll be talking about twice as many accomplishments.

I know I speak for the USA-ITA staff and board of directors when I say we’re proud of our work in 2011, and ready to take on 2012. We could not have been so successful without our members, and we’re grateful for your hard work and support.

Sincerely,

Maureen Gray

Chair, United States Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel (USA-ITA)

Vice President of International Trade, Ralph Lauren Corporation