U.S. CONGRESS EXPECTED TO PASS TRADE LEGISLATION WITH AFRICA, CARIBBEAN

U.S. CONGRESS EXPECTED TO PASS TRADE LEGISLATION WITH AFRICA, CARIBBEAN    The U.S. House of Representative passed legislation last week which would open American markets to sub-Saharan African apparel manufacturers and increase U.S. textile exports to Caribbean markets.
   About 48 sub-Saharan African countries and 25 Caribbean countries would benefit from the legislation. Apparel made in these countries from U.S. fabric and yarn could enter the country free of duties and quotas.
   Apparel made in Africa from African fabric would be allowed to increase from 1.5 percent of U.S. imports to 3.5 percent over the next eight years, reportedly increasing African apparel exports from about $250 million to $4.2 billion.
   Many industry groups support the trade legislation.
   “Some of the changes will have an adverse effect within our industry,” said Roger W. Chastain, president of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, which represents about 100 domestic companies that manufacture 75 percent of all textile fibers used by U.S. plants. “But we recognize that the overall benefits of the bill will be helpful to the U.S. textile industry, and we are therefore not opposed to its passage.”
   The Senate is expected to pass the legislation this week and President Clinton will then sign it into law.