Sports footwear and apparel maker Nike has expressed support for the US Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) when US President Barack Obama visited the company’s headquarters at Beaverton Oregon on Friday last.
The company announced its intention to accelerate investment in advanced footwear manufacturing in the US, if TPA is passed and a TPP agreement is finalised, according to a statement issued by the company.
“We commend President Obama for his strong leadership to advance these important trade initiatives,” Mark Parker, president and CEO, Nike, Inc. said. “Our employees and our business depend on free trade and the ability to reach athletes and consumers around the world.”
Footwear tariff relief would allow Nike to accelerate development of new advanced manufacturing methods and a domestic supply chain to support US-based manufacturing.
“We believe agreements that encourage free and fair trade allow Nike to do what we do best: innovate, expand our businesses and drive economic growth. Nike has always led the way in product innovation, and now we will be able to accelerate our investments to continue to drive manufacturing innovation,” Parker said.
US manufacturing would allow Nike to deliver product faster to market, create innovative performance footwear, provide customized solutions for consumers, and advance sustainability goals.
