U.S. Suppliers Adopt Various Strategies
To Address Continuing Growth of International Sourcing

Picture the world of home textiles as a spider's web, with dozens of strands stretching all over the world, connecting designers, researchers, raw materials producers, finished product manufacturers, importers, retailers and ultimately, consumers. This international sourcing environment is becoming increasingly more dense and interconnected all the time, as suppliers and retailers all over the globe seek better and more cost-effective ways to deliver home fashions.

The United States continues to experience significant increases in both imports and exports of textiles. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce, total non-apparel textiles imports, including home textiles and accessories, were $21.6 billion in 2006, up 5.6 percent from non-apparel textiles imports of $20 billion in 2005.

The U. S. continues to be the engine driving global commerce, particularly in the home textiles arena. While much of the manufacturing has moved to other countries, many former U.S. manufacturers have formed joint ventures with manufacturers in other countries, maintaining a strong presence in product development, design, marketing, branding, sales and distribution. This has allowed traditional U.S. firms to remain relevant in the new international sourcing environment.

"As globalization continues to shape international commerce, I see U.S. global competitiveness starting right here at home."—William G. Sutton, U.S. Department of Commerce

"As globalization continues to shape international commerce, I see U.S. global competitiveness starting right here at home," points out William G. Sutton, assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing and services, U.S. Department of Commerce, in a prepared statement. "I would also like to stress that our way of doing business, in a market-driven economy, should be our number one export. That is one of the best ways for us to stay competitive in a global economy."

Sutton says that the government is dedicated to maintaining U.S. business. "Every policy, regulation, or law should be made with an eye toward competitiveness. My goal will be to help develop and maintain an environment in which the smart business decision for any U.S company will be to open or expand an operation right here. The voice of the U.S manufacturing and services worker must be heard. The manufacturing and services office, along with the other units of the International Trade Administration, can improve our market-driven economy and help determine the future of globalization."

China continues to dominate the growth in imports, registering dramatic increases in yearly sales to the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Total non-apparel textiles imports from China reached $8.5 billion in 2006, up a whopping 18 percent from $7.3 billion in 2005. Other leading countries supplying textiles to the U.S. include India, Pakistan, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Korea, Turkey, Taiwan and Japan.

On the export side, total non-apparel textiles exports from the U.S. remained virtually unchanged at $12 billion for both 2006 and 2005. The largest export markets for U.S. products are Mexico, Canada, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Japan, El Salvador, China, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Germany. The fastest growing export markets for textiles and apparel produced in the U.S.—experiencing growth of 25 percent on exports of at least $1 million—are Brazil, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Vietnam, the Slovak Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Latvia and Jordan.

By The Numbers

Total non-apparel textiles imports:
2006: $21.6 billion
2005: $20 billion
Change: 5.6%

Top 10 Sources for Imported Non-Apparel Textiles, 2006
China $8.5 billion
India $1.8 billion
Pakistan $1.8 billion
Canada $1.4 billion
Mexico $1.1 billion
Italy $759 million
Korea $753 million
Turkey $586 million
Taiwan $492 million
Japan $355 million

Total exports of textiles and apparel:
2006: $16.7 billion
2005: $16.6 billion
Change: .6%

Total non-apparel textiles exports:
2006: $12.4 billion
2005: $12.1 billion
Change: .2%

Top 10 Markets for U.S. Exports of Textiles & Apparel, 2006
Mexico $4.4 billion
Canada $3.9 billion
Honduras $1.4 billion
Dominican Republic $1 billion
Japan $564 million
El Salvador $562 million
China $500 million
United Kingdom $354 million
Hong Kong $296 million
Germany $270 million

Top 10 Fastest Growing Export Markets for U.S. Textiles & Apparel, 2006
Brazil
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Vietnam
Slovak Republic
Egypt
Iraq
Latvia
Jordan