Significant investment in automation in the US textile and apparel industry, particularly in yarn, thread, and fabric production, has depressed US employment despite increases in domestic shipments.

In coming years, increased capital investment in automation should contribute to a further expected decline of 3.7 per cent in employment in the textile and apparel industry during 2015–20.

The most significant decline is projected in textile products (5.9 per cent) and textile mill sectors (5.7 per cent). At the same time, US textile and apparel exports are expected to increase 2.8 per cent, with US apparel exports increasing by ten per cent as a result of growing demand for higher-quality, specialized, or Made in USA apparel.

US textile mill producers are increasingly focused on the production of technical fabrics and smart fabrics used in the automotive, construction, healthcare, sportswear, and agriculture industries, as well as in protective applications.

The value of US technical fabric production is expected to increase by four per cent annually on an average during 2015–17 due to strong global demand. The technical and smart fabric sectors are less price sensitive than imports of lower-cost commodity fabrics.

One of the largest consumers of US-produced technical textiles is the US military, which by law must purchase its textiles from US producers.