• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Applications
    • Technology
    • Market
    • Other
    • Top 40
    • Buyers Guide
    • Hygiene Directory
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Applications
  • Technology
  • Market
  • Other
  • Top 40
  • Buyers Guide
  • Hygiene Directory
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    Southeast Asia Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    eBook
    Top Features
    Fibers Report

    Household Wipes Market

    Sustainable Hygiene Products Gain Ground

    Moist Toilet Wipes Lead 2024 Growth, Baby Wipes Decline, and General-Purpose Wipes Bounce Back

    Dissolvable Wipes. Will They Be the Industry’s Next Big Thing?
    Company Cameo
    Financial News
    Machinery Equipment
    New Products
    Nonwovens News
    Patent Review
    People in the News
    Supplier News
    Top News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Drylock Technologies Offers Packaging Breakthrough

    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com

    Hello Bello Launches Dr. Seuss Collection at Walmart

    Griffin Care Celebrates Milestone
    Nonwovens Insights
    Online Exclusives
    Adult Incontinence
    Absorbent Core
    Antimicrobials
    Apparel
    Automotive and Transportation
    Face Masks
    Chemicals / Adhesives
    Construction
    Contract Services
    Diaper, Baby
    Electronics
    Feminine Hygiene
    Fibers
    Filtration
    Flame Retardance
    Geotextile / Agrotextile
    Home Products
    Hygiene Film/Components
    Industrial / Institutional
    Inspection / Quality Control
    Machinery and Equipment
    Medical
    Wipes

    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    Hello Bello Launches Dr. Seuss Collection at Walmart

    Millie Moon Expands into Walmart

    Nippon Shokubai's U.S. Group Company Acquires ISCC Plus Certification

    Ahlstrom Expands FibRoc Portfolio
    Air Through Bonding
    Airlaid
    Carded/Carding
    Chemical Bonded
    Composite
    Meltblown
    Needlepunch
    Nanotechnology
    Spunbond
    Spunbond/Spunmelt
    Spunlace
    Thermal Bonded
    Wetlaid

    Softbond, A.Celli Collaborate on Spunbond Line

    Freudenberg to Showcase Advanced Foam Replacement at FOAM Expo

    Reifenhauser Reicofil GmbH & Co.

    Enka Tecnica GmbH / Reifenhauser Heinsberg GmbH

    Sandler Group
    China
    Eastern Europe/Russia
    India
    Middle East/North Africa
    North America
    Pacific Rim
    South/Central America
    Turkey
    Western Europe

    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    A Look At Megasoft—Asia's Vertically Integrated Hygiene Producer

    CIDPEX Middle East to be Held in September

    Pelsan Tekstil to Add Films Production in North Carolina

    Citadel J – From Round Wipes Roll to Revenue
    Associations
    Contracts / Awards
    Education
    Facilities / Capacity
    Green / Sustainability
    Legal / Regulatory
    Market Data
    Flushability
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    Product Improvement / Innovation
    R&D/Basic Research
    Shows / Events

    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    Nippon Shokubai's U.S. Group Company Acquires ISCC Plus Certification

    Joa to Acquire Cellulose Converting Solutions

    Smithers Predicts Growth for Nonwoven Battery Separators

    CIDPEX Middle East to be Held in September
    Chart
    Companies
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Valco Melton

    Alliance Machine and Engraving

    ELSNER

    Dukane Center of Excellence for Personal Care, Nonwovens and Packaging

    Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.
    Brands
    Brand Owners
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • Southeast Asia Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Add Your Company
    • Applications
      • Absorbent Core
      • Adult Incontinence
      • Antimicrobials
      • Apparel
      • Automotive and Transportation
      • Chemicals / Adhesives
      • Construction
      • Contract Services
      • Diaper, Baby
      • Electronics
      • Feminine Hygiene
      • Fibers
      • Filtration
      • Flame Retardance
      • Geotextile / Agrotextile
      • Home Products
      • Hygiene Film/Components
      • Industrial / Institutional
      • Inspection / Quality Control
      • Machinery and Equipment
      • Medical
      • Wipes
      • Face Masks
    • Technology
      • Air Through Bonding
      • Airlaid
      • Carded/Carding
      • Chemical Bonded
      • Composite
      • Meltblown
      • Needlepunch
      • Nanotechnology
      • Spunbond
      • Spunlace
      • Thermal Bonded
      • Wetlaid
      • Spunbond/Spunmelt
    • Market
      • China
      • Eastern Europe/Russia
      • India
      • Middle East/North Africa
      • North America
      • Pacific Rim
      • South/Central America
      • Turkey
      • Western Europe
    • Other
      • Associations
      • Contracts / Awards
      • Education
      • Facilities / Capacity
      • Green / Sustainability
      • Legal / Regulatory
      • Market Data
      • Mergers and Acquisitions
      • Product Improvement / Innovation
      • R&D/Basic Research
      • Shows / Events
      • Flushability
    • Top 40 Companies
      • Chart
      • Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Hygiene Directory
      • Brands
      • Brand Owners
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • eBook
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
      • Live From Asian Connections
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Suppliers Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Web Showcase
      • Home Page Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Capitol Comments

    USTR Outlines Goals for NAFTA Renegotiation and Calls for Public Comment

    Any change to trade deal could have major implications for nonwovens industry.

    Peter G. Mayberry, Contributing Editor07.10.17
    On May 23, 2017, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR, a branch of the White House) published a request for comment on negotiation objectives regarding “modernization” of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) treaty that has been negotiated between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. As part of the notice, USTR noted that a hearing has been scheduled for June 27 – this article went to press on June 15 – in the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. 

    Historically, in matters this weighty, USTR grants notice of at least 60-90 days for comment and/or prior to a public hearing.  In this case, however, USTR announced a June 12 deadline for comment. Through its May 23 notice, USTR states that the U.S. government intends to commence negotiations with Canada and Mexico regarding NAFTA “modernization.”

    As USTR characterizes the issue:
    • NAFTA was negotiated more than 25 years ago, and, while our economy and U.S. businesses have changed considerably over that period, NAFTA has not. The U.S. seeks to support higher-paying jobs in the U.S. and to grow the U.S. economy by improving U.S. opportunities under NAFTA. Our specific objectives for this negotiation will comply with the specific objectives set forth by Congress in section 102 of the Bipartisan Act of 2015. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on matters relevant to the modernization of NAFTA in order to inform development of U.S. negotiating positions.
    Any NAFTA renegotiation of course has the potential of major impacts on the U.S. nonwovens industry considering that the majority of nonwoven roll goods (HTS 5603) exported from the U.S. are destined for either Canada or Mexico; and there is also considerable trade of converted products—diapers, wipes, hygiene, etc.—between the three nations. 

    At Issue
    According to USTR, the U.S. commenced bilateral trade negotiations with Canada more than 30 years ago, resulting in the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFA), which became effective in 1989. In 1991, bilateral talks began with Mexico. NAFTA followed, in 1994, progressively eliminating tariffs—except  a limited number of agricultural products traded with Canada—by 2008. USTR further notes that NAFTA includes chapters covering rules of origin (an issue of interest to the nonwovens industry), customs procedures, agriculture and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, government procurement, investment, trade in services, protection of intellectual property rights and dispute settlement procedures. 

    This remained until May 18, 2017—following consultations with “relevant” Congressional committees—the USTR Office gave notice to Congress that President Trump intends to commence NAFTA renegotiations with Canada and Mexico. A few days later,  USTR called for public comment as it develops its negotiating objectives and positions, inviting interested parties to comment on a number of issues, stipulating that any written comments had to be received no later than June 12, 2017, well less than 30 days after publishing a request for comment—somewhat unprecedented by any government agency during the past three decades or more. 

    Issues up for discussion include: general and product-specific negotiating objectives for Canada and Mexico in the context of a NAFTA modernization; economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal of any remaining tariffs and removal or reduction of non-tariff barriers on articles traded with Canada and Mexico; treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers), including comments on: product-specific import or export interests or barriers; experience with particular measures that should be addressed in negotiations, addressing any remaining tariffs on articles traded with Canada, including ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities related to Canada and Mexico.

    Other issues include: customs and trade facilitation issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; appropriate modifications to rules of origin or origin procedures for NAFTA qualifying goods any unwarranted sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade imposed by Canada and Mexico that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant barriers to trade in services between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant digital trade issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant government procurement issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; issues of particular relevance to small and medium-sized businesses that should be addressed in the negotiations; relevant trade remedy issues that should be addressed in the negotiations; and relevant state-owned enterprise issues that should be addressed in the negotiations.


    Implementation of D.C. Flushable Labeling Law Advances
    A meeting was held on June 8 at DC Water regarding statutory requirements for labeling of nonwoven products under the city’s Nonwoven Disposable Products Act. Under this law – which was enacted last year – no manufacturer may “advertise, package, or label any nonwoven disposable product as ‘flushable,’ ‘sewer safe,’ or ‘septic safe’” in D.C. unless the nonwoven disposable product is deemed to be flushable by DC authorities effective January 1, 2018. The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) says it intends to provide “a transition period of compliance” along with “assistance and phase-in for both manufacturers and retailers.” DOEE is currently preparing a rulemaking that implements the Act, and is “researching the labeling standards developed by INDA and NACWA.” The International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG, an international organization comprised of four different nations) is also involved in this rulemaking in that a publicly-available standard for determining flushability that the organization is developing was referenced as the starting point for the wastewater side while INDA/EDANA’s GD3 was the starting point for nonwovens manufacturers.    
    Related Searches
    • roll goods
    • investment
    • government
    • trade
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Legal/Regulatory
    • North America
    Suggested For You
    White House Issues Executive Orders on Trade Agreement Violations and New Office for Trade and Manuf White House Issues Executive Orders on Trade Agreement Violations and New Office for Trade and Manuf
    Symposium to be Held in Conjunction with Techtextil Symposium to be Held in Conjunction with Techtextil
    Nordson Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuits Nordson Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuits
    First Quality Gets Partial Win in Lawsuit First Quality Gets Partial Win in Lawsuit
    EDANA Announces INDEX17 Award Winners EDANA Announces INDEX17 Award Winners
    EDANA Announces INDEX17 Award Winners EDANA Announces INDEX17 Award Winners
    A Growing Exhibition Reflects Nonwovens Industry Trends A Growing Exhibition Reflects Nonwovens Industry Trends
    Leading Diaper Makers Make Appeal to Russian Government Leading Diaper Makers Make Appeal to Russian Government
    H.B. Fuller Raises Prices in North America H.B. Fuller Raises Prices in North America
    Euromonitor Reports on Top Economic Trends Euromonitor Reports on Top Economic Trends
    INDEX Award Finalists Announced INDEX Award Finalists Announced
    New Administration Signals Shifts in U.S. Trade Policy for Nonwovens New Administration Signals Shifts in U.S. Trade Policy for Nonwovens

    Related Capitol Comments

    • Legal/Regulatory

      White House Issues Executive Orders on Trade Agreement Violations and New Office for Trade and Manuf

      Trump administration is better poised to identify trade abuse than its predecessors.
      Peter G. Mayberry, Contributing Editor 05.31.17

    • Symposium to be Held in Conjunction with Techtextil

      Presentations given daily at MesseFrankfurt
      05.02.17

    • Legal/Regulatory | Machinery and Equipment

      Nordson Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuits

      Manufacturer of adhesive dispensing equipment received two rulings in Shanghai
      04.25.17


    • Diaper, Baby | Legal/Regulatory

      First Quality Gets Partial Win in Lawsuit

      KY federal judge says First Quality Baby Products did not infringe on claims involving diaper designs in dispute with SCA
      04.13.17

    • Associations | Contracts/Awards | Shows/Events

      EDANA Announces INDEX17 Award Winners

      Berry Plastics, Glatfelter, Magic, GDM, Hassan Group and Suominen receive honors
      04.05.17

    Loading, Please Wait..
    Breaking News
    • Harper Hygienics Introduces Microbiome Care Baby Wipes
    • Drylock Technologies Offers Packaging Breakthrough
    • Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations
    • What You’re Reading on Nonwovens-Industry.com
    • Hello Bello Launches Dr. Seuss Collection at Walmart
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    June 2025

    • Fibers Report
    • Household Wipes Market
    • Sustainable Hygiene Products Gain Ground
    • Hygiene Goods Continue to Drive Expansion in Fluff Pulp
    • View More >



    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Gattefossé Opens New Facilities in Mumbai, India
    TSI Group Unveils myHMB + Vitamin D Logo
    Indena to Showcase Metabolic, Brain Health Solutions at In-Vitality 2024

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    RPM to Announce Fiscal 2025 Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results on July 24, 2025
    Nouryon Earns Awards from Texas Chemical Council and the Texas Chemistry Alliance
    Śnieżka Group Earns Higher Position in ESG Ranking

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    StimLabs's Umbilical Cord-Derived Wound Care Product Released in U.S.
    New Medical-Grade Bio-Based PVC Compounds Introduced
    Croívalve Reports 1st Tricuspid Coaptation Valve Implant in U.S. Feasibility Study

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Neurocrine Bioscience’s CRENESSITY Becomes Commercially Available in the U.S.
    Roche's Parkinson's Disease Drug Misses Primary Endpoint
    PTC Therapeutics Submits Vantiquinone NDA to FDA

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Weekly Recap: Coty Sells SKKN, Henkel Recall, Awards, & More
    Rare Beauty to Host Pop-Up Event with Sephora UK
    Cloud Haircare Expands to Walmart Stores Nationwide

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Cosmetify Names Nikkie de Jager the World’s Most Powerful Beauty Influencer
    Big Lips in the Small Wonder
    L’Oréal’s Bioprinted Skin & Dove’s Deodorant Launch

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    BCF Sponsors Parliamentary Event to Engage with Policymakers
    Weekly Recap: DIC Corporation, BASF, Toyo Printing Inks Top This Week’s Stories
    INX International Launches Innova Plus NCF Nitrocellulose-Free Inks

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Mexico's Flexopolis adds second Bobst flexo press
    Paramount Labels installs Rotatek Brava 450
    Esko teams with Bobst for smartGRAVURE System

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Harper Hygienics Introduces Microbiome Care Baby Wipes
    Drylock Technologies Offers Packaging Breakthrough
    Premier Care Industries Expands Manufacturing Operations

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    David Thordarson Takes Charge of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
    UPM Biomedicals Launches FibGel Injectable Nanocellulose Hydrogel for Medical Devices
    ONWARD Medical Attracts €50 Million in Capital

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: DuPont, SEMI, Sun Chemical Top This Week’s Stories
    ORNL’s 3D-Printed Metal Molds Poised to Accelerate US Auto Manufacturing
    SRI, NSIC are Catalyzing Corporate Innovation in Japan

    Copyright © 2025 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login