A coalition of five U.S. apparel trade groups on Monday urged negotiators in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to focus on improvements that will benefit regions in the partnership more evenly.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association, National Retail Federation, Outdoor Industry Association, Retail Industry Leaders Association and U.S. Association of Importers of Textile and Apparel have called on the TPP to adopt "rules of origin, meaningful market access, and regulatory harmonization that reflect and accommodate today's global value chains."

The TPP is an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement currently being negotiated between the United States and eight other partners, including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

"It is clear that the apparel rules of origin are a key element in the overall success of the Trans-Pacific Partnership," the five organizations, dubbed the TPP Apparel Coalition, said in a statement. "Without a solid agreement on apparel that generates new trade and investment opportunities, U.S. workers, businesses, and families will not be able to realize the full potential of the TPP."

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