Skip to main content
Image
Lake

Action Taken Against Predatory Honduran Sock Imports

January 18, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) today announced that it will implement a safeguard action against sock imports from Honduras. The vote today signals the start of sixty days of consultation with the Honduran government before the final tariff details are announced.

“I am pleased that the administration has decided to take action to protect our domestic sock industry,” Congressman Aderholt stated. “It was a commitment from this administration that if the numbers warranted it then safeguards would be imposed. Commitments have to be kept. Today’s decision is the right one without a doubt.”

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) is the government agency responsible for safeguard implementation. CITA was established in 1972 and consists of representatives from the Departments of Commerce, State, Labor, and Treasury, and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office.

“This move by the administration is welcome news for our domestic sock industry,” added Congressman Aderholt. “I have said all along that the facts warranted a positive safeguard position, I am glad that the administration agreed with me.”

According to recently revised U.S. Census data on domestic sock production, production dropped by 19.6% in 2006. In the first quarter of 2007, domestic sock production dropped by another 13.5%. At the same time, import data from the Department of Commerce indicates that imports from Honduras have increased almost 50% in the year ending April 2007. At the same time, world imports have increased 14%.

A Honduran sock safeguard has been one of Congressman Aderholt’s top priorities. So that domestic sock producers won’t leave for Central America.

Aderholt concluded, “I have always made fighting to protect jobs in Alabama a top priority, and I will always work to make sure that the manufacturing industry is healthy, whether it be socks or any other product.”