The Central American Clothing Assembly Industry and China's Producers for the U.S. Market

Abstract

This is a descriptive paper on the export performance of clothing industries in Central America and the Caribbean Basin to the U.S. market. A brief summary of the history of the region’s garment export industry in the face of evolving trade liberalization is provided. Attention is given to the evolution of CAFTA–DR’s apparel export industry according to changing US preferential trade programs. The importance of China’s membership in the World Trade Organization, and the elimination of Multi-Fiber Agreement quotas are highlighted in the fortunes of Central American clothing exporters’ attempts to expand their shares in the US market.