Trade agreements play major role in industry objectives

When Retail Industry Leader Association (RILA) President Sandy Kennedy spoke with LM recently, she emphasized that her organization will continue to urge Congress to grant Trade Promotion Authority so that we can move forward with important trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Trade in Services Agreement, and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

In addition, RILA is committed to working with Congress to renew other important trade programs, such as the General System of Preferences program that expired at the end of 2013, and the tariff preference levels for Nicaragua, which expires at the end of 2014.

Other pieces of RILA 2014 Public Policy priorities include:
• E-Fairness: Level the playing field for Main Street retailers, empower states to enforce existing tax laws through federal legislation
• Tax Reform: Pass comprehensive tax reform that lowers rates, broadens the base and treats all industries and businesses equally
• Health Care: Protect retailers ability to provide quality, affordable coverage that is customized to meet the needs of retail employees
• Privacy & Cybersecurity: Strengthen cybersecurity and consumer privacy with voluntary efforts and federal legislation that recognizes the need for flexibility and continued innovation
• Labor: Stop job-killing regulations that threaten the unique aspects of the employer-employee relationship in the retail industry
• Swipe Fee Reform: Pursue reforms to promote transparency, innovation and competition in the electronic payments market

Supply chain managers can learn more about RILA’s trade agenda by attending the group’s annual meeting in San Diego later this month. Meanwhile, stay tuned. RILA is not likely to remain silent if trade agreements hit pockets of resistance in Washington.