A coalition of U.S. manufacturers and intellectual property (IP) rights advocates has issued a joint letter urging President-elect Donald Trump to prioritize combating counterfeit goods as a critical issue for his upcoming administration. The group represents diverse industries, including apparel, footwear, automotive, healthcare, and consumer products, all of which face mounting challenges from illicit trade.
The letter highlights the significant threat counterfeit goods pose to the U.S. economy, innovation, and national security. Counterfeit products not only undermine the competitiveness of American businesses but also endanger consumer safety and erode trust in legitimate brands.
Among the co-signers are:
- Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI)
- American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
- Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF)
- Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2)
- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
- Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA)
- Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)
- Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
- MEMA – The Vehicle Suppliers Association
- Personal Care Products Council
- Sentinel Connector Systems
- Sports & Fitness Industry Association
- The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)
- The Toy Association
- TIC Council
The coalition’s recommendations for the administration’s first 100 days include:
- Nominating Key IP Officials: Filling roles such as the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property to strengthen IP policies and enforcement.
- Convening an Interagency Task Force: Establishing a working group to combat illicit trade and counterfeit goods, with regular engagement with stakeholders.
- Legislative and Regulatory Action: Supporting the passage of the SHOP SAFE Act to improve e-commerce platform accountability and resuming the implementation of the 2020 DHS report’s recommendations.
This multi-industry effort reflects a unified demand for stronger IP protection measures to safeguard American innovation, economic growth, and consumer safety. As counterfeit threats continue to evolve, the coalition emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive action to combat these risks.
