RILA Statement on Phase One China Trade Deal

By [ Melissa Murdock ]
Washington, DC
01/15/2020

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the trade association for America’s leading retailers, issued the following statement from Blake Harden, vice president, international trade, in response to the U.S. and China signing a phase one trade deal:

“The phase one trade deal signed today marks a critical step in the right direction towards restoring a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies. RILA appreciates the Administration’s efforts to deliver this deal.

“While this agreement offers some relief, retailers ultimately want a long-term deal that rolls back all tariffs and provides the kind of certainty and predictability needed to plan and invest while operating in a global economy. Leading retailers urge the Administration to conclude the phase two negotiations quickly to get us to that goal.”

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.