Michaud, Collins Seek Continuation of Footwear Tariffs in TPP

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) are among lawmakers pushing the Obama administration to keep footwear tariffs, as negotiations continue on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, they said in press releases. The Maine legislators joined employees of sneaker-maker New Balance July 18 to make their case in Washington, DC. Michaud said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has accepted an invitation to visit a New Balance factory in Maine this fall.

The concern is that TPP tariffs will be phased out, as is generally the case in free trade agreements. That would allow "Vietnam’s currency manipulation, state-owned enterprises, and low labor and environmental standards" to give the country's footwear factories an advantage over American producers like New Balance, said Michaud's office in a press release.

“Current footwear tariffs level the playing field and they’re essential to keeping the doors to New Balance’s factories open," he said. "They make it possible for 4,000 American workers in the footwear sector, including nearly 900 in Maine, to keep their jobs. In addition, they raised $19 billion in revenues over 10 years. Whether it’s concerns over our debt, jobs, or our economic recovery, eliminating these tariffs would be a terrible mistake on many levels,” said Michaud.

The Michaud press release is (here). The Collins press release is (here).