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

[squidly]

Hey partner, it wasn't my idea. :-)

[Rebelbase]

"They still make stuff in the Carolinas?"

Moonshine and BBQ!, can't export those.

[Willie Green]

These jobs are gone forever because they are functionally absolesent.

Good Gravy, I hope you're not series.
Are those jobs really absolete?
</sarcasm>

[TopDog2]

The stagecoach drivers, track layers, vacuum tube makers, blacksmiths, coopers, drovers, wooden shingle makers, daisy wheel printer repairmen all thank you. Just think of all the people that would be employed today if we would have protected those jobs.

The old, discredited "buggy whip" argument. The difference between then and now is that, when those jobs became "absolesent"(sic), there were already replacement industries waitng for the displaced workers. Now, there aren't any replacement industries waiting and the much-touted high tech jobs that displaced workers are supposed to retrain for are also being sent to other countries.

[Rebelbase]

"Please tell me a country, anywhere in the world, were people are employed doing any of this"

"stagecoach drivers"
Bus drivers....same concept.

"track layers,"
Still exist, they use modern equipement to replace old track.

"vacuum tube makers"
Russia, China still make and sell these.

"blacksmiths,"
Quaint and folksy, they still exist in small numbers....The modern equivalent would be a metal shop worker, every town has a metal shop or two.

"coopers, drovers"
Beer Kegs are metal now and hogs go to market via 18 wheel semi-trucks.

"wooden shingle makers"
Wood shake shingles are very common on high dollar houses throughout the country. They are mass produced now, but those who work there could be called wooden shingle makers.

"daisy wheel printer repairmen "
Thats cute. I agree with you there.

[Rebelbase]

Hey, the boys up in Wilkes County have a disagreement with you.

[Willie Green]

My apologies, freedomsnotfree.
I didn't realize that you had quoted jayef's absurd comment about obsolete occupations.
The industries that are leaving America are not technologicaly obsolete.
Judas W. Bush and Robert Zoellick are merely helping transnational businesses move them offshore where they can be operated more cheaply until the American Middle Class collapses into Third World Poverty.

[lelio]

In addition to textiles, the furniture industry is getting knocked for a loop.

Its not just Chinese furniture, our friend US trade rep Zoellick wants to have more Egyptian furniture come into the country. As, you know, we just have too many people here making it right now.
I suppose he thinks those displaced by his actions can all work as greeters at Walmart.

[DAnconia55]

We cann't compete with countries that have governments so much different than ours.

Good. Then don't. It's actually that simple.

What you have to do? Rid yourself of the idea that you are owed a lifetime Union job at a ridiculous wage.

[rightofrush]

More lost jobs, thanks to Clinton, Bush(s), and friends.

BTW, it's RED China.

[Willie Green]

ts not just Chinese furniture, our friend US trade rep Zoellick wants to have more Egyptian furniture come into the country...
I suppose he thinks those displaced by his actions can all work as greeters at Walmart.

Zoellick's career ambitions lie totally focused with enhancing the profitability of transnational corporations. I sincerely doubt that he has given even 30 seconds of thought as to how those interests may conflict with and adversely affect the interests of Average Middle Class Americans. (Other than to perhaps occasionally curse Average Americans for also wanting to better their own economic security and prosperity.)