In 2019, U.S. apparel imports increased by $539 million (0.6%) to $92.8 billion, and household goods imports increased by $435 million (3.7%) to $12.3 billion. These increases were almost entirely offset by reductions in U.S. imports of fabrics (TX002) and fibers and yarns, but raw cotton and wool (TX001) declined by $448 million (6.0%) and $436 million (11.0%), respectively.
Previously, the US apparel industry has been severely affected by the novel coronavirus. Employment in the U.S. textile industry (NAICS 313 and 314) and apparel industry (NAICS 315) hit bottom in April and May 2020 due to COVID-19, but has steadily recovered since June. However, employment levels remain well below pre-pandemic levels. As of December 2021, US textile production has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
As production turns more automated and thanks to improved productivity (i.e., the value of output per worker), U.S. textile and apparel factories have been hiring fewer workers even before the pandemic.The downward trend in employment is not changing for the U.S. textile and apparel manufacturing sector.Related, how to attract the new generation of workforce to the factory floor remains a crucial challenge facing the future of textile and apparel “Made in the USA.”
With retail sales slowing and imports falling during the pandemic, the U.S. apparel trade deficit narrowed by 19 percent in 2020 from 2019. However, a shrinking trade deficit won't necessarily boost "Made in the USA" clothing in 2020.
Export markets are unchanged: In 2021, more than 70 percent of apparel exports went to the Western Hemisphere, a pattern that has remained stable over the past few decades.
