ITC probes DR-CAFTA textile preference program

ITC probes DR-CAFTA textile preference program    The U.S. International Trade Commission has started an investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of a new program under the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
   The program allows apparel manufacturers in the Dominican Republic who use U.S. fabric to produce certain apparel to earn a credit that can be used to ship eligible apparel made with non-U.S.-origin fabric into the United States duty free.
   The investigation is required by amendments to the DR-CAFTA that were included by Congress in the Andean Trade Preference Act Extension signed into law in 2008.
   The legislation directs the U.S. Commerce Department to establish an Earned Import Allowance Program. The ITC is required to review the program annually to evaluate its effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements. The reports will be submitted to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees. The first report is due to the committees by July 28, 2010.
   The ITC plans to hold a public hearing related to the investigation at its Washington headquarters on Nov. 18. For more information, access the April 23 notice of investigation on the ITC Web site.