US’ textile manufacturers applaud Buy American order

US' National Council of Textile Organisations has favoured President Donald Trump's recent executive order which directs the federal government to maximise "buy American" opportunities and review compliance with existing "buy American" laws and regulations saying buying American is good for the country, for jobs, and its textile industry.

 The order was issued on April 18, 2017. 
 
"Thank you to President Trump for making Buy American a priority," said NCTO president and CEO Auggie Tantillo on behalf of the US textile industry.  

"Buying American is good for the country, good for American jobs, and good for the U.S. textile industry," Tantillo continued.
 
"NCTO has had a longstanding policy of supporting Buy American laws.  We intend to work with the Trump administration to help it improve implementation and enforcement of these job creating statutes and regulations," Tantillo added.
 
"Since 1941, a Buy American law applying to the Department of Defense known as the Berry Amendment has supported American troops, strengthened national security, and incentivised US textile industry investment and innovation.  This is a concrete example of how Buy American laws benefit the US economy and its workers," Tantillo said, noting that DOD sourced roughly $1.5 billion in textiles and clothing last year under the Berry Amendment. 
 
The Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense to buy textiles and clothing made with 100 per cent US content and labour.
 
Another Buy American law, the Kissell Amendment, requires the Department of Homeland Security to buy US made textiles and clothing, but currently is only applied within DHS to the US Coast Guard and, with some exceptions, the Transportation Security Administration.