2 of 3 Carolinas textile jobs may go in 3 years, study says

The Charlotte Observer ^ | Thursday, July 03, 2003 | TONY MECIA

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

Unrestricted trade with China could cause the Carolinas to lose two of every three remaining textile jobs in the next three years, according to a study released Wednesday by the U.S. industry's leading trade group.

The American Textile Manufacturers Institute projects North Carolina will lose 85,000 textile and apparel jobs between 2004 and 2006 -- more than any other state. South Carolina would be the third-hardest hit, with 42,000 job losses, according to the report.

The study is part of a campaign by ATMI and other textile trade groups to persuade the U.S. government to re-impose quotas on certain categories of textile and apparel from China. Government limits on imports of some textile products were lifted last year, and the remaining textile quotas are scheduled to be eliminated in 2005, although tariffs will remain.

By examining the presence of Chinese-made textile products in Japan and Australia, which have no quotas, ATMI forecasts that China will control 71 percent of the U.S. textile and apparel import market by 2006, up from 20 percent this year.

That will cause an estimated 630,000 layoffs nationally in an industry that employs about 1 million, according to the report. Other countries, including those in Latin America and Africa, will also see their textile industries shrivel as China claims a growing share, ATMI said.

In an interview last week with China Daily, Chinese officials said the U.S. textile industry's efforts to limit shipments of Chinese textiles are "groundless" and an abuse of international trading rules.

Between 1998 and 2002, textile and apparel imports to the United States increased 47 percent, to 38.3 billion square meters. During that time, Chinese imports nearly tripled, to 5 billion square meters.

Erik Autor, vice president of the National Retail Federation, said he thinks trading patterns will continue to shift overseas.

"Irrespective of what might happen on quotas or even with respect to China, job losses in the apparel industry in the United States will continue, mainly because it just isn't economic to make commodity apparel in the United States," he said.

Tony Mecia: (704) 358-5069; tmecia@charlotteobserver.com

[Semper Paratus]

Tough S***. All those jobs were originally in New England.

Live by cheap labor, die by cheap labor.

[squidly]

*Live by cheap labor, die by cheap labor.*

Bingo

[dr_who_2]

They won't coming back, either. The south is no longer a bunch of burnt-out plantantions and a source of cheap labor. Hasn't been that way for a half century at least. Mill towns are just plain towns now. Space age textile research, consolidation, iso9002 certification and discount clothing stores, and --while we're on the subject-- more tariffs aren't going to bring it back. It's called change. Better to see it coming instead of just reacting to it when it's here.

[VeritatisSplendor]

So how much less would the consumer pay for chinese textiles? And how much more would the stores and middleman profit. I am willing to pay more for American-made goods. But there isn't any choice for a lot of things. Christmas lights - all made in China for instance.

There is stuff from coming from China that used to be for the well off when it was made elsewhere - handmade needlepoint rugs, Tiffany style lights - now everyone can decorate their McMansion dirt cheap.

Mrs VS

[alancarp]

2 out of 3 textile jobs already have left the state, along with furniture asnd tobacoo jobs. But this state hasn't figured out that it's GOT to get with the program and develop/encourage new technology jobs.

[waterstraat]

They are going to lose 3 out of 3 in the next 10 years.
""All"" manufacturing jobs are going to be lost in the next 10 years, why is this news to some?

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

You're upsetting the Children of the Shrub again.

[Rebelbase]

NC is undergoing a "gone with the wind" change. A complete way of life is ending or has already ended. What were once thriving little mill towns are now depressed, long distance commuter towns, everyone works somwhere else because the 1000+ jobs that were there 10 years ago are now gone.

Rural populations who once lived within their means(thrifty) on one income are now having to send the kids to gramma's for the day while the wife works...thats the good news. The bad news is for those who were already extended, they are the ones taking huge hits. In one piedmont county I know of the foreclosure rate of all homes sold in the local MLS is at 20% over the past quarter.

My observation is that death of textiles will have a greater economic impact than the loss of tobacco....its still being grown and there are still tobacco jobs here in the Piedmont area. For the little guys, tobacco was worth a couple to a few thousand dollars per year, but the mill job was what put bread and butter on the table.

I know its happened in other places, the Huston oil bust of the 1980's and Silicon Valley in the late 90's. Its sobering to see it first hand.

[Rebelbase]

Oh, and you'll know High Point has hit rock bottom when the worldwide furniture manufacturers opt to show their new lines in the spring and fall markets in the new Market at Las Vegas, instead of High Point.

[DAnconia55]

Excellent.

There's absolutely no reason for American workers to be working in industries STARTED IN THE 1800s.

Let the Chinese peasants make our clothes.

[azhenfud]

This is a "Wanna guess who's helping China" ping.

[billbears]

And considering the state is going to lose an additional 14,600-27,000 jobs over the next few years in the tobacco industry, because of continuing attacks on the tobacco industry from the federal and state governments, breaking yet another promise Bush made in 2000, I know what this state is going to look like in a few years

Well I guess since the borders are open and since the President isn't planning to push for their closure anytime soon, maybe he can get the votes he loses in this state from across the border

[Uncle Miltie]

"China will control 71 percent of the U.S. textile and apparel import market by 2006, up from 20 percent this year."

OMG - Another strategic industry lost...what will we do for underwear in time of national emergency?

[billbears]

Sorry forgot to ping you to 13.

[Rebelbase]

"maybe he can get the votes he loses in this state from across the border"

*They* are already here my friend.

[azhenfud]

Hey,
No problem.
I was pinging you too!
Regards,
Az

[riri]

bookmark

[billbears]

Yeah but are they registered voters here or in some county next to the Mexican border in Texas? Giddy needs those votes too you know!! ;)

[BrooklynGOP]

There's absolutely no reason for American workers to be working in industries STARTED IN THE 1800s.

21st century jobs are going to India.