Current Legislative Issues

Export Promotion

Domestic manufacturers seeking to do business abroad face obstacles such as high tariffs, burdensome administrative requirements and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.

AHFA Position

American-made products should be able to compete on a level playing field in foreign markets.

Action

AHFA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce to reduce barriers that block access to foreign markets, including lowering tariff rates and ensuring that trading partners abide by World Trade Organization rules and regulations. At AHFA’s invitation, top Commerce Department officials have visited the High Point Market and held a manufacturing roundtable discussion on key issues. These exchanges resulted in recommendations to the Bush Administration on ways to level the international playing field for U.S. manufacturers. AHFA strongly supported enactment of the U.S.-Australia free trade agreement, which will immediately eliminate duties on a wide range of exports of American-made consumer products to Australia, including furniture.