Kim Glas, President and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), delivered a compelling message to the US Trade Representative’s Office (USTR), emphasizing the urgent need for strategic trade and investment policies to support the growth and resilience of the domestic textile industry.

Speaking at a USTR hearing focused on supply chain resilience, Glas underscored the industry's concerns regarding China's pervasive influence through illicit trade practices.

Highlighting the integral role of the domestic textile sector in national security and public health, Glas outlined the detrimental effects of unchecked foreign trade practices, inadequate customs enforcement, and misguided policy proposals.

She pointed to the closure of 14 US textile factories and the loss of an estimated 100,000 jobs in recent months, attributing this decline to unfair competition from China and other Asian countries.

Of particular concern are China's exploitation of subsidized inputs, including those produced through forced labor in Xinjiang, and the prevalence of low labor and environmental standards. Glas urged immediate action from Congress and the Biden administration to address these issues, including closing the de minimis tariff loophole and enhancing customs enforcement.

Glas also emphasized the importance of preserving yarn forward rules of origin, rejecting proposals to expand product coverage under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and implementing measures to incentivize domestic production.

She warned of the severe consequences of inaction, stressing the need for a proactive approach to safeguarding domestic manufacturing against the strategic ambitions of geopolitical rivals like China.