Senator Collins Welcomes U.S. Trade Representative Kirk To Maine

           WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Susan Collins today welcomed U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Maine.  Mr. Kirk is touring the New Balance athletic shoe factory in Norridgewock.  Due to the Senate schedule, Senator Collins was not able to join Mr. Kirk on the tour.  She last toured the Norridgewock facility in April 2011.

            Senator Collins has a long record of supporting America's domestic rubber footwear industry.  These manufacturers depend on long-standing duties that are levied on certain imported footwear products in order to continue to manufacture and produce high-quality footwear here in the U.S.  Recently, Senator Collins expressed concern that the final "Trans-Pacific Partnership" free trade agreement may not recognize the importance of these duties to the domestic industry, therefore putting U.S. manufacturers at a disadvantage compared to competitors who manufacture overseas.

            "Maine has a long and proud shoemaking history," said Senator Collins.  "The men and women who work in the New Balance factories in our state are part of that legacy.  I hope Ambassador Kirk leaves with a greater appreciation of the role this industry plays in Maine's economy and will not pursue trade policies that could undermine it.  Over the last 30 years as most domestic manufacturers have shifted production to low-wage countries such as China and Vietnam, New Balance has continued to make investments in American factories, providing good-paying manufacturing jobs."

Background:  The United States is currently negotiating a regional free trade agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement, with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.  Mexico and Canada are expected to join in the negotiations.  Vietnam is the world's second largest footwear exporter to the United States after China.  Senator Collins and other members of the New England delegation have repeatedly urged the Administration to exclude from the agreement duty cuts for core products of the domestic rubber footwear industry.  U.S. manufacturers depend on approximately 20 long-standing duties that are levied on certain imported footwear products in an effort to level the playing field and remain competitive.