Katherine White, the newly appointed Chief Textiles and Apparel Negotiator for the US Trade Representative, toured several North Carolina textile facilities hosted by National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) member companies. During her visit, White engaged with industry leaders who showcased advanced manufacturing innovations and discussed the impact of trade policies on the domestic supply chain and local communities.
The US textile industry, a vital contributor to the national economy and defense, produced $64.8 billion in output in 2023 and employed over 500,000 workers. It supplies over 8,000 products annually to the US military and provides critical PPE for national health and safety. Despite its significance, the industry faces challenges from economic headwinds, foreign predatory trade practices, and inadequate enforcement of trade laws and agreements.
White visited six textile plants, including American &Efird, Parkdale Mills/US Cotton, TSG Finishing, Shuford Yarns, Schneider Mills, and Unifi. She also attended an industry roundtable at Gaston College Textile Technology Center, where executives discussed the domestic industry's competitiveness and urgent issues in Washington.
Key industry priorities include increasing Section 301 China tariffs on textile imports, closing the de minimis loophole, expanding the Western Hemisphere co-production chain, enforcing trade agreements, and supporting domestic supply chains through Buy American and Berry Amendment policies.
White expressed her commitment to addressing industry challenges and enhancing the resilience of American industries. NCTO President Kim Glas emphasized the need for urgent government action against harmful foreign trade practices and praised White’s visit as a positive step toward securing the US textile supply chain’s future.
