In 1996, Mexico nudged China aside as the top U.S. supplier of textiles and garments. Textiles and apparel are responsible for about 20 percent of the U.S. trade deficit. The Asian financial crisis has affected the U.S. textile industry. Apparel imports from Asia are up 12 percent for 1998 to 5.9 billion square meters. Additionally, Asian imports of fabrics, yarn and home furnishings have soared 16 percent to reach 6.1 billion square meters.
Technical developments are key to the future success of the textile industry.
Technology is key to competitiveness. Technology drives the productivity of the U.S. textile industry. Companies that fail to adopt new technologies fail. Past scientific and technical innovations have produced the durability of nylon, the convenience of wash and wear, and the safety of high strength aramid fibers. Technology has driven past performance and is an integral part of modern operations in today s textile industry.