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MADE IN USA
source: usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/
erssor/field/cws-bby/cws2003s.txt
www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRS
reports/Economics/econ-134.cfm
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US cotton exports to the European Union have decreased considerably since the late 1980s, when they still accounted for approximately 15% of total US exports…- the US textile and apparel trade deficit ballooned to $64 billion in 2002, and it's expected to top this in 2003-2004. Since 1997, the US textile industry has been forced to close more than 250 textile plants in the United States. Over 200,000 US textile workers have lost their jobs, including more than 30,000 since January 2002;
- despite these losses, the US textile sector remains one of the largest manufacturing employers in the USA and the entire textile complex* employs nearly 1 million US workers;
- the USA remains one of the largest cotton producer worldwide (after China, and followed by India and Pakistan) and - with Turkey - they are also leaders in producing organic cotton: it is estimated that over 12,000 acres of organic cotton are now grown in the USA;
- the dramatic growth of US cotton textile and apparel imports, which have doubled since 1996, has forced the US textile manufacturing industry to significantly reduce its capacity. To remain competitive, US textile and apparel processors have focused on core products and niche markets.
* Including apparel, machinery, chemicals, cotton and man-made fibre sectors.
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