ITC recommends no change to Festive Articles Tariff provision
Thursday, June 16
On April 22, the International Trade Commission in USITC Publication 4224, Certain Festive Articles: Recommendations for Modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, wrote: "The Commission recommends to the President that no modifications to the HTS be proclaimed in response to Customs' request. The Commission makes this recommendation for two principal reasons: (1) the proposed modifications are not necessary or appropriate to meet any of the objectives set forth in section 1205(a) of the 1988 Act and (2) even if they were, they would not meet the requirements of section 1205(d) of the 1988 Act in that they would not ensure substantial rate neutrality."More

Digital Textile Printing, Part I: Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Thursday, June 16
AATCC and [TC]2 are partnering to provide an update on the state of digital textile printing technology, processes and applications. Join presenters Kerry King, [TC]2, and Carly Spano, Cotton Incorporated, for a one-hour webinar at noon EDT on Tuesday, June 28. The presentation will cover advances in hardware and textile ink chemistry for digital textile printing.More

First meeting of the Massachusetts Textile Industry Working Group
Thursday, June 16
On April 7, leaders from the textile industry met at UMass Dartmouth's Advanced Technology Manufacturing Center to continue and expand a discussion that originated at an event at the same location on Oct. 25, 2010. Representing the National Textile Association at the event were Karl Spilhaus and David Trumbull. Ray Shah, of Claremont Flock/Spectro Coating, a member of NTA's American Flock Association also participated. Comments in the meeting fed into several larger themes as the discussion evolved.More

Girls' dresses recalled
Wednesday, June 15
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have announced a voluntary recall of Emma's Garden Polka-Dot girls' dresses imported by The TJX Companies, Inc., of Framingham, Mass. and sold at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls from February through May 2011 for about $13 and at Winners stores in Canada, from March through April 2011 for about $17. The garments were manufactured in China.More

OTEXA to host free webinar: Exporting Technical Textiles to India
Wednesday, June 15
U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel presents a free webinar, Exporting Technical Textiles to India, on June 22 from 9-10 a.m. EDT. This webinar provides you with information about the technical textile market in India, giving you the tools to successfully sell your products. This webinar will also focus on Intellectual Property Rights.More

USTR Kirk announces $120 million initiative to build trade capacity in Africa
Wednesday, June 15
This week, during a trip to Lusaka, Zambia, for the 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced a new Obama administration initiative to build trade capacity called the African Competitiveness and Trade Expansion initiative. ACTE will provide $120 million over four years to build on the success of Africa's regional trade hubs and help African nations to realize AGOA's full potential.More

Patrol cap to replace beret as standard Army headgear
Wednesday, June 15
The voice of the soldier has been heard; the U.S. Army announced the patrol cap will replace the black wool beret as the default headgear for the Army combat uniform.More