2024 Election Statement
The results are in and President Trump will be sworn in for a second time in what Vice President-Elect Vance called “the greatest historical political comeback in American history.” As the Democratic party reflects and starts the election autopsy, Republicans are in full transition mode as they prepare to take control over the administration, the Senate, and potentially the House of Representatives, and reality is setting in. President Trump will reshape America. What that means for our industry remains a question mark, but it will not be a roadblock, simply a different path. The circular ecosystem should not be dismayed, as the policy rationale and societal benefit from a more sustainable textile economy has not changed. President Trump has promised increased tariffs and to advance a nationalist and isolationist agenda through stricter border measures that will focus on assisting the American family. How those policies will impact our work is to be determined, however at American Circular Textiles (ACT), our efforts have always put domestic jobs and economic development at the forefront of our bipartisan agenda. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last few years to make inroads with policymakers on both sides of the aisle and garner bipartisan support.
While the federal headwinds pose a challenge for policies rooted in pure climate-related objectives, Trump’s agenda also presents real opportunities for U.S. manufacturing through domestic circular textile policy. To balance the inevitable rise in cost of imported goods to American consumers, there is also an opportunity to support domestic jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains while improving national security, and enhance our global competitiveness. ACT’s priorities overlap with many of these objectives. We have operations and provide jobs all over the United States that focus on improving economic opportunities while achieving environmental objectives. Trade and tax reform will be front and center in the Trump Administration and de minimis reform and improved Western Hemisphere trade relations will benefit the domestic textile industry. Furthermore, President Trump’s focus on reversing the country’s reliance on foreign supply chains can incent circularity. These trade reform policies are issues that impact ACT’s membership and enjoy bipartisan support.
ACT is prepared to continue our progress toward making the U.S. a leader in circular fashion policy and domestic manufacturing. We stand ready to engage with the Trump-Vance administration, House and Senate Leadership, and current and new members of Congress to fulfill that mission. Policymakers recognize that when you support circularity, both the economy and the environment benefit for a win-win.
Rachel Kibbe CEO and Founder, American Circular Textiles (ACT)
For Press Inquiries: Kelly Vogt Campbell, kelly@intuitivecomms.co
