Ander Crenshaw Goes to Bat for Coach in Jacksonville

Veteran First Coast Republican U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw teamed up with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., this week to launch the GSP Update for Production Diversification and Trade Enhancement Act (GSP UPDATE Act). This bill will help the American travel goods industry by opening newopportunitiesin Asia, namely in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand and making some travel goods as duty-free.

When the GSP program --which provides commercial opportunities to developing countries -- was launched in 1974, travel goods were exempted. Under Crenshaws bill, companies could petition the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to request items be added to the GSP program.

In these tough economic times, Congress must work to promote economic growth and job creation, Crenshaw said on Wednesday. This bill accomplishes that goal for the travel goods industry in Florida, Nebraska, and across the nation. Moreover, the GSP UPDATE Act is an opportunity to enhance a successful global development program for our partners and allies and in so doing strengthen our national security in key world regions.

Upon passage, travel goods such as the purses, briefcases, and backpacks, could be considered for approval as duty-free products by the U.S. Trade Representative under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, Crenshaw added. The GSP program is a long-successful global development program for our critical partners and allies. Thats a win-win for companies like Coach, in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as our national security strategy in countries around the globe. The bill would give the travel goods industry viable market alternatives to China which is not a GSP country. American businesses need tools to help them move forward, and I strongly encourage my House colleagues to support me in an effort to strengthen opportunities for this sector of our economy.

As Crenshaw noted, Coach, which has some corporate operations in Jacksonville, is clearly behind his bill.

"Coach supports the efforts of Congressmen Crenshaw and Smith in making a positive change to U.S. trade policy through the GSP UPDATE Act, said Coach Executive Vice President of Operations Angus McRae. This important initiative seeks to bring the GSP program in line with the modern realities of our industry. The GSP UPDATE Act will open new and much-needed sourcing opportunities, promote our competitiveness and benefit our employees in Jacksonville and across the United States."