Bill Overview
Title: To extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.
Description: This bill extends through FY2035 the special duty-free rules for Haiti. It also extends through FY2035 the duty-free treatment provided for apparel articles assembled in Haiti and imported from Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
Sponsors: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in or benefiting from the import and export economy between the U.S., Haiti, and the Dominican Republic
Estimated Size: 30000000
- Extending duty-free treatment for imports from Haiti impacts the Haitian economy by encouraging exports.
- Haitian apparel workers benefit as demand for their products in the U.S. might increase.
- Retailers and consumers in the U.S. benefit from potentially lower prices on Haitian-imported goods.
- The Dominican Republic is involved in the supply chain for some apparel products, affecting their role in this sector.
- Other Caribbean countries might be indirectly affected as the U.S. gives preferential treatment to Haitian imports.
Reasoning
- The impact of this policy is likely limited to individuals who are involved in the textile and import/export industries, particularly those dealing with Haitian imports. This includes business owners, workers in the import sector, and consumers who buy these goods.
- The budget limits suggest that the policy's direct financial impact is constrained, so high-impact scenarios are less frequent than medium or low impact ones.
- We will include a mix of people from industries directly tied to textile imports from Haiti, as well as a few individuals not directly impacted by these imports to show a lack of impact on unrelated population segments.
Simulated Interviews
Purchasing Manager for a Clothing Retailer (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is great as it helps us keep costs down, which we can pass onto our customers.
- Having a predictable duty-free status makes planning our supply chain easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Owner of an Apparel Import Business (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen these types of policies come and go, but they always help us and our partners in Haiti.
- I hope this leads to more business stability for us here and for those producing in Haiti.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Fashion Designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If my retailer partners can get cheaper materials from Haiti, and those are sustainably produced, that's a win-win.
- This might open up new design opportunities for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Economist (Boston, MA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Trade policies like this are essential for fostering economic growth both for us and partner countries.
- I'm interested to see how this affects employment in both regions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Dallas, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm always happy to find deals, but I'm not sure how this impacts me personally.
- If it means more affordable clothes, then that's positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Small Business Owner - Local Clothing Brand (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always prioritized local materials, so I don't believe this will have a significant impact on me.
- The international policies like this could pressurize domestic producers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retail Worker at a Fashion Store (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cheaper imports may mean lower prices for products I sell, which could increase traffic.
- I might consider working in import/export after my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Apparel Market Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could shift some market patterns towards more Caribbean imports.
- It may also incentivize sustainable practices if framed correctly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Textile Manufacturer (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these make competition tougher for domestic textile manufacturers.
- We need support to remain competitive with importers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
Logistics Manager for a National Retail Chain (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Duty-free imports simplify logistics and reduce costs, which is beneficial for our operations.
- It assures better planning with suppliers in Haiti.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Key Considerations
- U.S. textile manufacturers may face increased competition.
- Improved economic conditions in Haiti could lead to long-term benefits for the U.S. in terms of regional stability and strengthened trading relationships.
- Potential diversion of imports from other Caribbean nations, affecting those economies.