U.S. textile producers nervous about imports

Abstract

Tomorrow, representatives from the world's leading textile exporting and importing countries will confront each other in Geneva. Although no major decisions are expected to come out of what is billed as a preliminary meeting, the tone of the discussions could shape the future of world textile trade for the remainder of the decade. In the U.S., every company that produces man-made fibers will be watching developments in Geneva closely. The man-made fiber industry, struggling to recover from a recession that sent production downward 11% last year, is worried. Like the rest of the fiber-textile-apparel complex, it is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact that imports are making on its business. So leaders in the man-made fiber industry will be watching to see if U.S. delegates at Geneva will be able to negotiate any relief for them. At issue will be a document with the long-winded title of the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles. Known ...