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Their shoes may be able to go the distance but their faith in government promises has reached its limit. New Balance had been vocal in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership then they went silent about a year ago. Company officials say they were promised serious consideration for a DOD contract for athletic shoes for military recruits if they backed off their criticism so they did. They never heard a word since then from the Pentagon about a contract.

New Balance accuses Obama administration of reneging on TPP-related deal

“We swallowed the poison pill that is TPP so we could have a chance to bid on these contracts,” said Matt LeBretton, New Balance’s vice president of public affairs. “We were assured this would be a top-down approach at the Department of Defense if we agreed to either support or remain neutral on TPP. [But] the chances of the Department of Defense buying shoes that are made in the USA are slim to none while Obama is president.”

The company is renewing their opposition to the trade deal because ending tariffs on shoes made in Vietnam would have an adverse effect on the company’s U.S. jobs.

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3 Comments | Leave a comment
  1. Maynard says:

    New Balance is one of the very few manufacturers that actually manufactures some of its product lines in America. My everyday casual footwear is their model 993, although they keep tweaking that model number, so every time I buy a new pair it’s different…I think it’s currently 996, or maybe 990v#, or something like that. Anyway, it’s comfortable and American made.

    Oh, yeah, I also wear American-made underwear. Just in case you were wondering. And my Wigwam-brand socks are made here too. I try.

  2. Marie says:

    New Balance-Note to Self: Never do a deal with the devil.

    My boy and I love the New Balance made in the USA and will continue to do business with them even though they tried to with the government. I think they’ve learned their lesson.

  3. Alain41 says:

    Government contract officers have to issue contract for bids and then approve. There is some wiggle room but not a blank check to work with. The contract officers are subject to criminal prosecution for very shady contracts not the top mgmt which will have plausible deniability. New Balance was stupid to believe ‘promises’.

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