A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that...

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would enact a signature initiative of the Outdoor Industry Association. The U.S. Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation (OUTDOOR) Act would add a special tariff category for recreational performance apparel, eliminate the high tariffs on these products, and support U.S. jobs and technologies focused on sustainable apparel supply chains. It would help keep American companies competitive while lowering end costs for consumers, with a goal of getting more people involved in outdoor activities. The Outdoor Foundation recently found that prohibitively expensive outdoor gear was a major barrier to many Americans who might otherwise head outdoors for recreation. The tariffs on outdoor products can add as much as 28 percent to their retail cost. The OIA worked with the bill’s sponsors in the Senate as well as with manufacturers of outdoor apparel and the U.S. textile industry in developing the legislation.