ISPA submitted written comments in response to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (“USTR”) Request for Comments on the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). The USTR solicited public comments between September 16 and November 3 in advance of the joint review of the USMCA by all participating countries. Comments were requested on any aspect of the USMCA, including issues with compliance, factors affecting the investment climate in North America, and recommendations for specific actions that USTR should propose ahead of the joint review.  

ISPA’s comments express strong support for extending the term of the USMCA, including applicable tariff preference levels (“TPLs”), and urge improved coordination and transparency amongst the member countries. The comments discuss the customs-related USMCA provisions governing the TPLs applicable to certain textile and apparel goods. ISPA’s comments focus on improving access to the preferential terms of the USMCA for companies that import textiles from Canada and Mexico to manufacture mattresses in the United States.